Liberal Democrats concerned about the new Park & Ride contract for Ipswich

5.28.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrats have called into question the timing of the new Park & Ride contract for Ipswich. The contract, which sees First Eastern Buses take over from the locally run Ipswich Buses, comes at a time when the future of the County Council is still to be decided.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Kathy Pollard said, "With the announcement on the future of the County Council in only 16 days, we are questioning whether this was the right time to award a new contract. The Park & Ride scheme is extremely important to many people's lives, and we must ensure that all future outcomes have been carefully considered.

Ipswich buses have provided an excellent and valued Park & Ride service to a large number of customers. This Ipswich based company with local priorities has been pushed aside and replaced by a nationwide bus operator who may well have its priorities elsewhere. The County Council has in this case reneged on its promise to support local businesses."