Ludlow councillor 'blows lid' and resigns from Liberal Democrats over bus cuts

A Ludlow councillor has quit the Liberal Democrats after "blowing his lid" over plans to cut back bus services, which he claims were made in secret.

Councillor Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow North on Shropshire Council, said none of the local councillors were involved or informed on decisions made by members in Shrewsbury. From September, the 745 bus service that operates between Pontesbury, Bishop's Castle, Clun and Ludlow will be scrapped.

The service, which is operated by Minsterley Motors, had been supported by Shropshire Council since the Covid-19 pandemic using UK Government revenue funding.

But the council said that the service averages around six passengers per day, with rising costs meaning the level of subsidy required to maintain the route has risen to over £60 per passenger. Those figures have been disputed by Minsterley Motors though, with the firm saying an average of 17 passengers a day used the service last year, with the operating cost being £25 per passenger.

Shropshire Council said it explored options to continue the service, including fully contracting the route, but the cost of doing so is “not considered affordable or proportionate in the context of wider pressures across the local bus network”.

The council added it was now working with community transport providers to identify alternative options that may help to meet local travel needs in a more flexible and cost-effective way.

Councillor Boddington said local members only found out about the news from bus drivers and he “blew [his] lid” when he learned of the cuts.

"The council claimed there were only six passengers a trip, but data shows there are 17 a trip," he said.

"This service could be reformed with better timings and better publicity.

"It will never make money. Bus services in the rural south west must have a subsidy."

Councillor Boddington added that he fears that Ludlow’s park-and-ride service is also being cancelled.

"This is a service that needed to be changed to a short wheel base bus that runs more regularly," said Councillor Boddington.

"Again Ludlow councillors were not consulted. To add to the angst felt here in Ludlow, Shrewsbury is to have new park-and-ride buses while we lose ours.

"I stand for Ludlow first and Lib Dems second. My position doesn't align with [leader] Heather Kidd's administration and her whipping system.

"My best option was to resign.”

Shropshire Council said a number of local bus services that it supports are being reviewed as part of its 2026 retendering programme, with changes due to be implemented later this year.

They include:

• Inter urban services: 64, 437, 501, 553, 558
• Shrewsbury services: 2, 3A, 12, 20, 23, 26, 37
• Ludlow services: 701, 702, 722
• Wem/Ellesmere services: 201, 208
• Market Drayton service: 301
• Shrewsbury Park & Ride service: Oxon, Harlescott and Meole Brace

Contracts run for five years, and a number of services are re-tendered and reviewed each year.

The review, Shropshire Council said, is taking place in the context of reduced government funding for local bus services, alongside increased operating costs across the transport sector.

The local authority said it will work closely with local councillors and town and parish councils throughout the process, with engagement on emerging proposals planned next month.

Further information on specific service changes will then be made available from July, once procurement processes have been completed and contracts have been finalised.

“All services whose contract is set to end this year have been considered in full by officers and cabinet members, taking into account usage, future cost, connectivity and the role each route plays in supporting your local community," said Councillor Rob Wilson, cabinet member for transport and regeneration.

“We’re having to deal with increasing costs alongside reduced funding, which means we must work harder to deliver the best possible transport network with the resources available. Our aim is to protect and improve as many services as we can across the county, but this does leave us with difficult choices.”