Fighting for the No.7 Bus Route

Since my last update on the future of the No.7 bus route between Andover and Newbury, the campaign to save it has only grown stronger.

I have been contacted by residents, local organisations, and businesses, all worried about what losing this service will mean for our communities. This isn’t about convenience; it’s about access to education, work, essential services, and staying connected.

Here are just some of the stories I’ve heard:

·       A student who will be unable to complete her A Levels at Andover College.

·       A worker who will lose their job in Newbury without the bus.

·       West Berks Foodbank, who rely on this route to enable vulnerable residents from rural areas to reach foodbank sessions in Newbury. They estimate that they serve approximately 261 adults and 182 children from the impacted area. Without it, people facing financial hardship will be left without access to food or support.

Hampshire County Council’s decision to withdraw its £54,407 annual subsidy to Stagecoach, which roughly works out at just £1.93 per passenger, threatens to sever a service that carried over 28,200 passengers last year.

I’ve written to Hampshire County Council urging them to reverse this decision, and I’m in active discussions with West Berkshire Council about potential short-term funding. Longer term, there is possible S106 funding from the Wash Water development, but that may be years away.

I have offered to convene a meeting between both councils to urgently explore a joint solution before the end-of-August deadline.

This is more than just a transport issue. It’s about ensuring rural communities remain connected, that students can get to school, workers can get to their jobs, and vulnerable residents are not left isolated.

I will keep fighting for the No.7 and the communities that depend on it. If you are affected by this planned cut, please get in touch and share your story.