Local MP calls for SL1 bus to be reinstated

Marie Tidball, Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, raised the urgent need for the SL1 tram link bus to be reinstated, in Parliament.

Under the last Conservative Government, 53% of bus services across Penistone and Stocksbridge were cut, including the vital SL1 tram link bus.

Marie Parliament, the loss of the SL1 under the last government “[left] many of my constituents unable to continue to go to work and school in Sheffield."

The local MP highlighted the work of the Labour government is already doing to fix our broken buses, stating “It's fantastic that because of the government’s Bus Services Bill, our South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, [is] bringing our buses back into public control.”

The Labour Government’s Bus Services Bill is currently going through Parliament, which will support every community to take back control of their bus services, by giving communities new powers to set routes, fares, and services.

Following the exchange, Marie Tidball MP, said:

“The SL1 tram link bus is an absolute lifeline for people in Stocksbridge to get into Sheffield to work, school, and see their friends and families.

“Whilst knocking on doors and holding my constituency surgeries, I listen to constituents tell me time and time again the impact the SL1 being cut has had on their quality of life. The inequalities in transport connectivity currently faced by my constituents are unacceptable. An unforgivable legacy of the last government.

“Securing the reintroduction of the SL1 tram link bus is my top priority as part of Oliver Coppard’s work to bring our buses back into public control through franchising. I’ll continue to work with the Mayor, and Leader of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Tom Hunt, to reinstate the SL1, as well as working longer term to secure a tram-train extension to Stocksbridge via Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Side, and Deepcar to improve connectivity for our communities.”