MIDDLEWICH MP Fiona Bruce has welcomed new Government funding to support community transport services, and urged local providers in the Congleton constituency to bid for support.

There will be £25 million of new support to provide hundreds of voluntary community transport providers with new minibuses.

This new fund will give them the opportunity to get a new minibus to expand, or to replace an old one.

Any community transport provider will be able to bid for one vehicle, with smaller operators and those in rural or isolated areas favoured.

Fiona Bruce said: “This is great news for community bus services in my constituency and I urge them to take this opportunity to bid for a share. Regular bus services are particularly vital to rural towns and villages like those in my constituency.

“Many constituents have spoken to me about the need for more bus routes and stops to serve our community and I am pleased there is now a fund which could help realise these improvements.

“This investment in our community is all part of our long-term economic plan, which is delivering a better future for Britain and, stronger, more secure communities.”