Fury over plans to axe bus route

A row has broken out in a Lincolnshire village over a decision to cancel a bus service that runs to a nearby town in a neighbouring county.

Nottinghamshire County Council operates the number 55 service from Bingham to Newark, but the Lincolnshire part of the journey is to be dropped.

Now villagers in Long Benington have signed a petition in protest over the decision to axe the route.

The council said the bus service would cease at the end of the month.

Vital service

Yvonne Sweet who lives in Long Benington said the village relied on the service.

"It's important because Newark is our main town for shopping, hospital, dental appointments, my husband's work, my work in the past, banking, everything....we need to get to Newark."

Chris Briggs from Lincolnshire County Council said: "For that leg of the journey we are required to pay £113.47 a day. Nottinghamshire has informed us that they are reviewing that service anyway.

"We rolled out our successful CallConnect bus service which will now serve the Long Benington and Newark area.

"So rather than duplicate the service and spend more money we've decided to withdraw our support for the 55 and put our resources in the CallConnect service."

The CallConnect service operates only in response to pre-booked requests.