The MD1 Maryport to Dearham bus is losing its council money, but the other West Cumbria routes are safe MD1 Maryport to Dearham bus loses its council contract as West Cumbria's other supported routes are kept

The council's put £2.89m into supported buses for the next year. The 22, 32, 1, 30, 60, 68, 300 and 600 keep going, but the MD1 Maryport to Dearham loses its funding, with a stopgap to the end of December.

This one's for anybody who relies on the council-backed buses round West Cumbria, and especially folk who use the MD1 between Maryport and Dearham.

Cumberland Council said on 23 October it's sorting out £2.89 million of supported bus contracts for 2026/27, each lasting 12 months. Four bus and coach firms put in 51 bids between them.

The good news first. Round here, these routes keep their council money: the 30 Sunday bus from Frizington to Workington, the 600 between Carlisle, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and West Cumberland Hospital, the 22/22A through Whitehaven, the hospital, Egremont, Cleator and Cleator Moor, the 60 from Silloth to Maryport, the 300 from Workington to Carlisle with more buses on it, the C123 round Cockermouth, the X7 from Whitehaven to Millom, the 32 between Whitehaven, St Bees and Egremont, the 1/1A round Whitehaven, Parton, Rosehill, Moresby Parks and Harras Moor, and the 68 from Cockermouth to Maryport.

The not-so-good news is the MD1. Its contract finishes on Thursday 29 October and won't be renewed. The council says it plans to keep it running until the end of December if a quick tender works out. A few routes round Carlisle are losing out too. The council says the government money is the same every year, but last year it spent two years' worth in one go, so there's less this time. The MD1 is third in the queue if any extra cash turns up.

Councillor Denise Rollo said: "This has been a very difficult decision. We know how much people value their local services, but the funding available means we cannot support every route in the same way as before."

What you can do: if you use the MD1, keep an eye on the timetable at the stop and on the council website before 29 October and again from January. The council says the more people use the buses, the better the case for keeping them.

Cumberland Council is spending £2.89 million on supported bus contracts for 2026/27. Routes including the 22/22A, 32, 1/1A, 30, 60, 68, 300 and 600 keep their funding, but support for the MD1 ends, with a stopgap planned to the end of December.

This is for people who rely on council-supported buses in West Cumbria, especially anyone who uses the MD1 between Maryport and Dearham.

Cumberland Council announced on 23 October that it is progressing a package of supported bus contracts for 2026/27 worth £2.89 million, each running for 12 months from its start date. The tender drew 51 bids from four bus and coach operators.

In West Cumbria the routes keeping council support are the 30 Sunday service from Frizington to Workington, the 600 linking Carlisle, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and West Cumberland Hospital, the 22/22A through Whitehaven, the hospital, Egremont, Cleator and Cleator Moor, the 60 from Silloth to Maryport, the 300 from Workington to Carlisle with more buses, the C123 Cockermouth town service, the X7 from Whitehaven to Millom, the 32 linking Whitehaven, St Bees and Egremont, the 1/1A around Whitehaven, Parton, Rosehill Theatre, Moresby Parks and Harras Moor, and the 68 from Cockermouth to Maryport.

Support will not be renewed for the MD1. Its current contract ends on Thursday 29 October, but the council says that, subject to a short procurement exercise, it intends to keep the service running until the end of December. Several routes around Carlisle are also losing support. The council says government funding is the same each year, but last year it spent two years' worth at once, so there is less to go round now. The MD1 is third on its list for any extra money that turns up.

Councillor Denise Rollo said: "This has been a very difficult decision. We know how much people value their local services, but the funding available means we cannot support every route in the same way as before."

What you can do: if you use the MD1, check the timetable at stops and on the Cumberland Council website before 29 October and from January. The council says using the buses helps show there is demand for them.