NO funding is being made available yet to restore a direct bus link between Keighley and Halifax.

This news was confirmed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, (WYCA) in response to residents and councillors who have been campaigning for this service.

The authority spokesman said: “We obtained quotes from bus operators to provide a direct bus link between Keighley and Halifax, but in light of our budget review felt we were unable to finance the route with public funds.

“However, we will continue our discussions with bus operators to see what can be done to resolve this.”

The campaign to restore the service was kicked off in early 2016 by Tricia Lowth and her husband Hugh, who had then lived in Cross Roads.

They were supported by one of the then parish councillors for Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury, Connor Hughes.

Although Mr and Mrs Lowth no longer live locally, the baton was picked up by Worth Valley Ward councillor Rebecca Poulsen, who also said she would like to see the direct link revived.

Commenting earlier this month, (Dec), Cllr Poulsen said: "We presented a petition for this service to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Bradford meeting and then to the full Transport Committee.

"The route is supported by WYCA, who agree it is a missing link so they sent out tender documents to all bus operators.

"Although a number of operators were interested, none would run it as a commercial route and all wanted supported funding from WYCA.

"We got to the stage that this would be taken to the full board for funding, but due to other bus companies going into liquidation a number of routes had to be funded at short notice which put this funding on hold.

"I raise this matter as often as I can in transport meetings, but at the moment all the supported routes are being reassessed as part of the budget cutting exercise so until that's complete new routes cannot be considered.

"But I will keep raising it as I believe there's a great demand for this service."

Cllr Poulsen is being backed by Oxenhope parish councillor Peter McManus, who said: "I believe Keighley and Halifax are the only two major towns in Yorkshire which do not to have a direct between them.

"It does seem strange that from Keighley you can get a direct bus to all major towns in West Yorkshire, to all East Lancashire Towns, but not to Halifax.

"We are about to look at travel in all its forms in our Neighbourhood Plan for Oxenhope.

"Early research indicates public transport links from all the outlying Bradford villages – except Denholme – only connect with Keighley, the Aire Valley and Hebden Bridge.

"The bus operators say they doubt demand exists but I don't believe this has been tested at all. The year-round success of the Hebden Bridge buses does refute this, as they are always busy.

"Halifax has spent a fortune on its Piece Hall and Borough Market and they've got a really good Vue multi screen cinema.

"But by not having a direct link with Keighley they're missing out on 70,000 potential visitors."