LOCAL LIB DEMS BLOCK BUS CUTS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Jul 2009

A decision by bus operator FirstBus to suspend planned cuts to 28 services was today hailed as a victory for the people of Sheffield by the local Lib Dems. FirstBus have reluctantly agreed to drop the plans, scheduled to come in on Sunday, in the face of pressure from Liberal Democrat Sheffield Council. The controversial plans included axing the 33 Shirecliffe to Norton route, and scaling back the 86 to Fulwood.

Coun Ian Auckland, Sheffield Council cabinet member for transport and streetscene, said: "This is a victory for the people of Sheffield. In particular those communities living on the bus routes that faced the axe. There is still a long way to go but I hope First has at last seen common sense and U turned thanks to the opposition of the Council which is on the side of local people."

"The council stood up and would not agree to service cuts or service changes. We want to ensure that the people of Sheffield have real travel options, that they can make their own choice in getting about the city and have a public transport system that allows them to do that."