It all depends on priorities: ‘The same government is happy to underwrite a £43billion overspend in the cost of HS2’

• WE are grateful to the CNJ for highlighting the threat to our local bus services, (‘Absolutely shocking’: Transport for London announce plans to cut bus routes, June 1).

This is caused by the government forcing Transport for London to make cuts in services to fund a budget gap caused by the massive loss of fare income during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proposed cuts will seriously impact on residents in Camden Town who face the proposed withdrawal of the 24 and 31 bus routes.

These proposals would put further pressure on remaining local bus services like the 214 and the 88, which would be left as the only bus route linking Hampstead Heath with central London.

Those on low incomes disproportionately depend on bus services, which are significantly cheaper than rail and Underground services.

The 24 bus route serves both the Royal Free Hospital and University College Hospital so NHS workers and patients may be adversely impacted.

We note that the same government is happy to underwrite a £43billion overspend in the cost of HS2 and just a fraction of that money would be better spent protecting existing bus services and providing many more.

It all depends on priorities.

CLLR PAT CALLAGHAN
CLLR RICHARD COTTON
Labour, Camden Town ward