Council hits out at cuts to bus services

North Lanarkshire Council has hit out at a plan by a bus firm to cut a number of its services in the area.

McGill’s has informed Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) that it wishes to withdraw six services from June 24.

Among the routes which will be affected is the 247 service from Monklands Hospital – Cumbernauld - Kirkintilloch.

Council leader Jim Logue criticised the move, saying: “These bus services provide vital links between communities in North Lanarkshire.

“To stop them is life changing for some local people.

“This is an irresponsible proposal by McGill’s who are putting profit before service by dropping only unsubsidised routes.

“This is an example of why this council is carrying out a feasibility study into operating some public bus services.

“I will be making my views very clear to both McGill’s and SPT, and encourage local people to do the same.”

McGill’s managing director Ralph Roberts responded: “We are in the statutory 28-day consultation phase with SPT, and at the end of that process, will issue full details of any changes we intend to make to routes in Monklands.”

Carbrain & Hillcrest Community Council is encouraging residents to write letters of objection to SPT, the council and NHS Lanarkshire.

Secretary Lyndsay Keogh said: “This will have a severely detrimental effect on the residents of Cumbernauld and surrounding areas.

“Cumbernauld no longer has an out-of-hours GP service and the withdrawal of this service with render some residents unable to get to a medical help.”