TRANSPORT chiefs at the council have confirmed the continuation of a bus service which communities feel is a lifeline.
Cumberland Council has confirmed that the MD1 route, which runs between Maryport and Dearham, will continue until the end of December 2026, after previously being under threat due to funding pressures.
Council transport bosses say the potential cut to the MD1 service was due to reduced Government funding available for allocation this year.
"Difficult decisions" were set to be made, with services cut according to levels of passenger demand, value for money, and the level of subsidy required.
But following further work to explore the options available, Cumberland Council has secured funding to keep the MD1 running until the end of December.
Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places at Cumberland Council, said: "We know how important the MD1 is to people in Maryport and Dearham, so I'm really pleased that we have been able to secure support to keep the service running until the end of December.
"This will help residents stay connected throughout the winter and, importantly, across the busy Christmas period.
"It also gives people another way to travel into Maryport to shop locally and support the fantastic businesses we have in the town.
"We will continue to explore the options available, but in the meantime, I would encourage residents to make the most of the service and help us support both local transport and local businesses."
The council is urging residents to use the bus for shopping, social visits, appointments, and other everyday journeys, especially during the winter months.
Passengers are also being encouraged to support Maryport’s businesses by shopping locally during the festive season.
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