KEIGHLEY bus services could have to be cut if Government funding isn't renewed this spring, it's feared.

A grant to help bus operators recover from the impact of the pandemic is due to expire in March.

Now Labour's Keighley parliamentary candidate John Grogan, together with his Shipley counterpart Anna Dixon, are calling on the Government to renew funding for a further six months.

In a joint statement, they said: "The Government announced in August last year that it would be extending the 'recovery grant' to West Yorkshire Combined Authority to fund bus services for the period October 1 to March 31. This was a financial lifeline for operators to keep services running after the pandemic.

"We are now approaching the cliff edge again and local services are once more under threat.

"We urge the Transport Secretary to maintain vital support for bus services.

"Bus patronage has recovered more quickly in West Yorkshire than in other areas, reaching 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and 100 per cent amongst young people. However this recovery will be put under threat if the Government withdraws funding prematurely."

The Government says almost £2 billion has been made available to bus operators during the pandemic.