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Northamptonshire residents fear loss of 'lifeline' bus route

Laura Coffey/BBC A route 60 bus displaying Welford on the front parked at a bus stationLaura Coffey/BBC
Uno currently runs the 59/60 bus between Northampton and Market Harborough

Bus passengers in Northamptonshire have spoken of their concern about losing a rural service after the operator pulled out of running it.

The 59/60 bus runs the A5199 corridor between Northampton and Market Harborough.

Bus operator Uno will stop running the service, which is council funded, from March.

West Northamptonshire Council said it was looking for a solution to ensure the route continued.

Uno currently runs four routes in Northamptonshire.

But after the University of Northampton decided to partner with Stagecoach for three of the routes, Uno decided to withdraw from all services in the county.

It said it "will continue to run a reliable service until this change".

There were concerns last year that the route would be lost due to funding cuts but it was saved after a local campaign.

A 'lifeline'

Laura Coffey/BBC A portrait photo of Anna Hughes sat down in her homeLaura Coffey/BBC
Anna Hughes lives in Creaton and uses the bus to visit Northampton and Market Harborough

Anna Hughes, 72, lives in Creaton and relies on the bus to go out twice a week. She is sight impaired due to diabetes so had to stop driving.

She described the bus as the "only lifeline I have to anything outside".

"I need the bus because I can't exist just living in a little village," she said.

"I don't feel that as a member of society I should be allowed to be cut off."

'Keeps us independent'

Laura Coffey/BBC A portrait photo of Mary and Allan Bushell standing side by side in their homeLaura Coffey/BBC
Mary and Alan Bushell use the bus to go shopping and stay active

Mary Bushell, 77, and her husband Alan, who live in Welford, use the bus a couple of times a week to go shopping, get a coffee and stay "active".

Mr Bushell has Parkinson's so had to stop driving.

"It makes a day out for us", said Mary, "It keeps us independent."

"If we didn't have the bus it would be awful, it would be dreadful, we would be stuck in the village."

Laura Coffey/BBC A purple Uno bus pulls out of a bus stationLaura Coffey/BBC
Uno will stop operating all of its routes in Northamptonshire from March

A spokesperson for West Northamptonshire Council said it has been made aware that route 59/60 would cease to be operated by Uno in March.

"We are now looking at a solution to ensure that the 59/60 bus service is continued in its current form when Uno cease operation, and there is no break in service.

"We are developing tender documentation and will look to award a tender for the bus service as soon as practicable."

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