I WELCOME the news that MP David Crausby will be supporting the Bolton Liberal Democrats fight against the recent withdrawal of the Manchester - Bolton night bus services.

Although I am a little disappointed that he and the other two MPs for the town - alongside all but three local councillors - do not seem to have replied to any of my recent emails. Bolton Liberal Democrats started a petition calling for First Bus and TfGM to reconsider withdrawing this service until a full consultation with passengers had taken place and an alternative measure introduced. Unfortunately neither have been forthcoming and the number 8, 36 and 39 night bus left Manchester for the final time. This petition currently stands at over 1,100 names and continues to grow.

I recently wrote to Patrick McLoughlin regarding the issue. His reply said: "The Government encourages local authorities, operators and local communities to work in partnership to decide how best to provide access to services for residents." He added that it was for local authorities, working in partnership with their communities, to identify the solutions that meet the economic and environmental challenges faced in their areas." He suggested approaching the operator and TfGM to resolve the matter. I would be very interested to see if Mr Crausby can successfully get a different answer from him although I am pessimistic. I do wish him the best of luck in his endeavours and pray for a successful outcome.

However, I feel a more useful approach would be for Mr Crausby to speak to his Bolton Labour Party colleagues Cllr Chadwick and Cllr Harkin who both sit on Transport for Greater Manchester- to ask why neither seem to be offering much of a fight when it comes to protecting public transport services in Bolton, and put pressure on them to do more in order to fight to prevent cuts to services in a town that is in vital need of a better public transport offering.

I also hope that Mr Crausby will join me and the 1100 petitioners in approaching other transport providers to take over the Night Bus services.

Again. I'd like to thank Mr Crausby for joining the Lib Dems in their fight and look forward to his support moving forward. I also look forward to him and his Labour Council colleagues signing the petition at https://www.change.org/p/save-the-bolton-and-salford-night-bus

Kevin Walsh

Harper Green