Conservative Councillor Andy Brown, recently re-elected onto Nottinghamshire County Council for Leake and Ruddington, returned to the Council Chamber with a strong message: it’s time south-west Rushcliffe got its fair share of public transport access to East Midlands Airport and Parkway Station.
Raising the issue during Thursdays full council meeting, Cllr Brown passionately called for the introduction of a local stopping bus service to the region’s key transport and employment hub – a service he says is long overdue for the residents of villages like East Leake, Ruddington and the wider south-west Rushcliffe area.
“After four years away from this Council, I am resuming my campaign for a local stopping bus service to East Midlands Airport and East Midlands Parkway Railway Station for the residents I represent,” said Cllr Brown.
“Rushcliffe residents living beneath the flight path tolerate the noise and other negative side effects of living near this fast-growing airport site – but they still lack the benefit of a regular bus service linking them to the opportunities it brings.”
East Midlands Airport has ambitious plans to create over 20,000 new jobs by 2043, and Cllr Brown says local residents should be better connected to that future.
“They get all the pain, but not enough of the gain,” he said.
Currently, the Trentbarton ‘Skylink Express’ travels non-stop along the A453 from Nottingham to the airport, bypassing Rushcliffe’s rural communities entirely.
“When I’ve complained, I’ve been told Skylink Express isn’t meant to stop locally – well, sorry, but that’s no consolation to my residents who deserve better,” said Cllr Brown. “Other areas – Beeston, Long Eaton, Castle Donington – all get a stopping service. Why not us?”
Cllr Brown also highlighted the £3.5 million investment by neighbouring counties and the airport into electric buses for local routes elsewhere – yet south-west Rushcliffe remains overlooked.
“What about us?” he asked.
In a proactive step, Cllr Brown has now written to the East Midlands Mayor, urging the newly formed East Midlands Combined County Authority to use its devolved powers and funding to back a new service.
“This is exactly the kind of levelling-up the new authority was created to deliver. Improving access to jobs, reducing car dependency and supporting our rural communities – it’s a win for everyone,” he said.
“I’m convinced that with initial support, a stopping bus service to the airport will become commercially viable over time. The jobs are there. The people are ready. All they need is the bus.”
Councillor Brown now awaits a response from the Mayor’s office and is calling on residents, fellow councillors and local media to support the campaign and keep the pressure on.
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