Council signals ambition on buses amid national change at the top
Telford & Wrekin Council has set out fresh ambitions to strengthen the local bus network and will urge the incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to devolve greater control over services. At a cabinet meeting on Thursday 16 July, senior members endorsed continuing improvements to routes and frequencies, drawing support from across the political spectrum.
With Mr Burnham due to enter 10 Downing Street on Monday, councillors said the timing offered an opportunity to build on recent progress and to seek extra local powers over buses. The cabinet discussion followed a report on service performance and planned changes, which prompted praise for its scope and intent.
Cross-party backing, with an eye on powers and funding
Deputy leader Richard Overton welcomed the direction of travel, describing the cabinet paper as brimming with intent and setting the tone for further steps to bolster public transport across the borough.
“It does not hold back on ambition… I know we will do even more. I hope the new Prime Minister will give even more powers to do more.”
Cabinet member for jobs, transport and digital connectivity, Ollie Vickers, pointed to momentum in the network’s performance and framed the change in national leadership as a chance to accelerate improvements, highlighting Mr Burnham’s widely known enthusiasm for better buses in Greater Manchester.
“We are going to have a PM on Monday who has a strong passion for buses. We are going from strength to strength.”
Opposition figures echoed that support, while cautioning about future finances. Andrew Eade (Conservative, Church Aston and Lilleshall) welcomed movement since an earlier consultant’s review and backed the continuation of the £2 fare offer as a helpful measure for passengers, especially in more rural parts of the borough. He warned, however, that reliance on developer contributions poses a “significant challenge” once that funding source is exhausted.
“The bus service now is coming to fruition. It really is something that I do welcome.”
Service frequency improves in Shawbirch
Bill Tomlinson, Liberal Democrat group leader, noted tangible benefits for his constituents, praising the reinstatement of an hourly service in Shawbirch. He said the previous 90‑minute gap between buses had depressed passenger numbers and expressed gratitude to the administration for acting on repeated requests to restore a more regular timetable.
“It means more people will come on board. I am really, really pleased about bringing it back to hourly.”
| Area/Service | Previous frequency | Current frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Shawbirch | Every 90 minutes | Hourly |
Local implications as Telford looks to the centre
The council’s stance comes as national debate turns once again to devolution and the tools local authorities need to shape services. Although no new commitments have yet been made from Whitehall, members indicated they will move quickly to make the case for stronger local levers over routes, fares and standards, arguing that better integration could build on recent gains in reliability and accessibility.
There is also a recognition that short-term support and one-off funding cannot carry the network indefinitely. As highlighted in cabinet, the expiry of developer-funded measures for specific routes may create gaps that need longer-term solutions. Securing clearer powers, councillors suggested, may help align funding with local need and keep buses running in less densely populated areas where commercial viability is tight.
What passengers should watch for
Residents are being encouraged to check timetables for any frequency changes and to take advantage of the £2 single fare while it remains in place, particularly on corridors where demand has started to rebound. Elected members say sustained use by passengers will be vital to underpinning future decisions.
- Recent upgrades include the return of an hourly service in Shawbirch.
- Cross-party councillors plan to lobby for greater local powers over buses.
- Concerns persist about the durability of developer contributions once current arrangements end.
For now, the mood at Addenbrooke House is one of cautious optimism: a desire to lock in improvements, broaden coverage, and ensure that changes at the national level translate into practical gains on Telford’s streets. Whether the new administration in London offers the mechanisms councils are seeking will shape the next phase of the borough’s bus strategy.
