Plea for solution to travel problem

Politicians in Powys and Shropshire have teamed up in a bid to solve a cross-border problem over free bus travel for pensioners and disabled people.

Heather Kidd, prospective Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Ludlow, and Mick Bates, Liberal Democrat Welsh Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, say English travellers may have to pay to travel by bus over the border to Wales when a free bus pass for over-60s comes into force on April 1.

English passengers can travel free anywhere in England, but will have to pay in Wales. However, Welsh bus pass holders can travel free in Wales and benefit from agreements with some English local authorities to travel free there as well.

Ms Kidd said: "In Wales the over-60s and the disabled have had free bus travel for a number of years.

"This starts in England too from April 1. The only problem is nobody in either Government has been talking to one another about what happens in an area like ours where people regularly travel across the border.

"As it stands a pensioner in my village - Chirbury - will be able to travel free to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but have to pay to go shopping a few miles down the road in Welshpool."

Mr Bates has written to Welsh Assembly economy and transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, urging him to discuss the issue at Westminster as soon as possible.