10th April 2025
County Council says bus route change was out of its hands
CORNWALL Council says that the decision to axe the No.73 bus route through Morval and Widegates was a commercial decision taken by the operator, Go Cornwall Bus, and not as a result of any decision made by the County Council.
In response to complaints from retiring Cornwall councillor Armand Toms and the parish councils of St Martin-by-Looe and Morval, Gemma Hall, Cornwall Council’s integrated network and partnerships manager, admitted that the change would impact residents but stressed that it was not the County’s decision.
“Service 73 is operated on a commercial basis by Go Cornwall Bus – therefore not under contract to, and not subsidised by Cornwall Council,” she said.
“The changes to Service 73 for April onwards are based on a commercial decision by Go Cornwall Bus and not a decision made by Cornwall Council.
“We do acknowledge that any changes or reductions to a service will undoubtedly impact residents and we and Operators always endeavour to minimise these, where it is within our gift to do so.
“All changes are evidence led and based on patronage. Go Cornwall Bus have to ensure the commercial sustainability of the service and that their limited resource is being used to its best effect and we are understanding and supportive of the decisions they have made in regards to Service 73.”
She added that the two parish councils should now contact Go Cornwall Bus direct if they wished to raise the matter, adding: “This is a decision that only they can review, though it should be noted that in line with Traffic Commissioner requirements, Registrations have been submitted for this network change so any further changes, putting aside the lack of additional funding, would be unlikely for those reasons alone.”
Mr Toms said that, as well as local residents being inconvenienced, the decision would particularly affect those staying at the many holiday camps and caravan parks in the area, including Tregoad.
In a letter to Morval Parish Council Michael and Kim Spencer, of Wringworthy, said that the loss of the No.73 bus to Morval’s rural parish was huge.
“For many, it’s a lifeline,” said Mrs Spencer. “The alternative – to walk to Sandplace (which would be the site on the only remaining No.73 bus stop) – is just not viable considering that the road is 60-mph with blind bends and absolutely no footpath.
“The verge is also not particularly stable or suitable when it’s been raining.”
The Spencers wondered how much Government money had been forthcoming for public transport in Cornwall and how much of it had actually been spent in South East Cornwall?
“When the bus was hourly we used it to get into Liskeard,” said Mrs Spencer.
“When it went to two-hourly it became harder to use and it’s almost like the decision to cut it was made at this point, and the reason for reducing it to two-hourly was precisely so people weren’t able or going to use it!”
Another complainant, Jan Howe, said that the service, although previously often unreliable, was nevertheless worthy of retention and to see it withdrawn would be “a disastrous decision” for people living in the area.
“I personally know five people with serious health problems, who will be severely disadvantaged without access to public transport,” she said.