Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage was today joined by local Councillors and transport bosses for a productive meeting with First Bus to discuss the future of essential local routes.
The meeting follows months of negotiations with the public transport provider which announced significant changes to the provision of services across the Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent, and Hill Head in January.
During the meeting, which was also attended by Cllr Scard and Cllr Burgess from Gosport Borough Council as well as Cllr Woodward, the Executive Member for Transport at Hampshire County Council, a number of options were discussed, with the hope of finding solutions to existing weaknesses in local routes.
Speaking after the meeting, Caroline said:
"This is a situation which must be resolved urgently – too many local people have been affected by route changes, including students at local schools and colleges. Today's meeting was a good opportunity for transport bosses from Hampshire County Council and First to sit down with local representatives to discuss possible solutions.
I am grateful that there is a desire on all sides to work together and hopeful that we have taken another step forwards towards securing improved bus provision for residents across the Gosport peninsula."
During her visit to First's regional headquarters, Caroline also got behind the wheel of a First bus giving her an insight into the experience of local bus drivers.
Since First's announcement was made at the beginning of the year, Caroline has been in regular contact with company bosses, Gosport Borough Councillors and Hampshire County Councillors trying to find a solution to the situation.
