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Local Maryport · West Cumbria

The MD1 Maryport to Dearham bus has lost its council money, and a December comeback isn't confirmed MD1 Maryport to Dearham bus loses its council contract, and a December return is not yet confirmed

By Kris WM, editor 4 min read From Cumberland Council
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MD1 Maryport to Dearham bus loses its council contract, and a December return is not yet confirmed
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The council's contract for the MD1 Maryport to Dearham bus ended on Thursday 29 October. The council hopes to run it to the end of December, but that depends on a quick tender and isn't confirmed. The other West Cumbria routes keep their funding.

Update, 3 November 2026: we first said the MD1 would keep running to the end of December. That was what the council intends, not something it's confirmed. The MD1's contract ran out on Thursday 29 October. Any comeback depends on a quick tender, and we haven't found a council statement saying when it restarts or whether it's running right now.

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. The money isn't being renewed. The council says it plans to keep it going until the end of December if a quick tender works out. Karl Melville, the council's assistant director of highways and transport, told the BBC they were hopeful it would briefly start again from early November before finishing at the end of the year. The BBC says the MD1 carried 25 passengers a day, the most of the routes being cut. The MD1 is third in the queue if any extra cash turns up, and a report to the council's Highways and Transport Board on 22 October suggested looking for up to £235,000 to keep it and two Carlisle-area routes going to 31 March 2027. We haven't found a decision on that.

What you can do: if you use the MD1, look for notices at the stop and on the council website before you travel, because there's no confirmed timetable. The council says the more people use the buses, the better the case for keeping them.

Cumberland Council's contract for the MD1 ended on Thursday 29 October. The council says it intends to keep the bus running until the end of December, but only if a short procurement exercise works out, and it has not yet confirmed that. The other West Cumbria supported routes keep their funding for 2026/27.

Update, 3 November 2026: our first version said the MD1 would keep running until the end of December. That was the council's intention, not a confirmed arrangement. The MD1's contract ended on Thursday 29 October. Any return depends on a short procurement exercise, and we have not found a council statement confirming a restart date or whether the bus is running now.

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 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. The council says that, subject to the outcome of a short procurement exercise, it intends to continue the service until the end of December. Karl Melville, the council's assistant director of highways and transport, told the BBC the council was hopeful the service would briefly resume from early November before ending at the end of the year. The BBC reports the MD1 carried 25 passengers a day, the most of the routes being cut. The MD1 is third on the council's list for any extra money. A report to the council's Highways and Transport Board on 22 October recommended looking for up to £235,000 to keep the MD1 and two Carlisle-area routes to 31 March 2027. We have not found a decision on that.

What you can do: if you use the MD1, check for notices at stops and on the Cumberland Council website before travelling, because there is no confirmed timetable. The council says using the buses helps show there is demand for them.