Bus delays spark row between council and operator

A row has erupted over late-running buses, with the council and operator blaming each other for delays.

Stagecoach has hit out at Cumberland Council over how it co-ordinates roadworks in Carlisle, as the city undergoes a major regeneration project.

The bus operator said roadworks on Victoria Road and Warwick Road had led to "severe and escalating disruption" to routes such as the 63 from Sandsfield Park to Durranhill.

Labour-led Cumberland Council said issues with cancellations and delays in Carlisle were not new and it had formally raised concerns about Stagecoach's performance in the area with the Traffic Commissioner, which is responsible for licensing.

Stagecoach said at a time when Carlisle's road network was already under strain due to the construction of the Southern Link Road, there should not also be "concurrent roadworks" across the city.

Director for the region Tom Waterhouse said: "What we've seen this week in particular is that actually that situation has gotten worse.

"We've now got multiple roadworks that are impacting on the same route."

He said he wanted Stagecoach and the council to work closer together to reduce disruption for passengers and the company was "investing additional resources" where possible.

The authority said it recognised frustration for passengers and it gave advance notice of planned roadworks to public transport operators.

A council spokesperson said it had "repeatedly" raised concerns with Stagecoach about the "growing number of complaints" from residents regarding reliability and punctuality.

Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for connected place, said: "Writing to the Traffic Commissioner is not something I ever wanted to do, but we have reached a point where further action is necessary."

Waterhouse said the operation of bus services in the Cumberland area presented "significant challenges" and he welcomed the opportunity to meet with the council to discuss practical solutions supporting "better outcomes for customers".

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