Luton Dunstable Busway Funding Gap

The Luton Dunstable busway has a £5.2 million funding gap. Councillors will discuss figures on Tuesday this week. Luton and Central Bedfordshire Councils are supposed to be paying £9.83m towards the overall cost of the project which is predominantly being paid for by Central Government. But they still have to find more than £5m.

Liberal Democrat Leader at Luton Borough Council, David Franks, is quoted in today's Luton on Sunday, as saying "It is no surprise to me that the busway looks like leaving a £9.3m headache. The scandal is that none of the senior Labour councillors seems to have seen it coming and they are still denying it's a problem. What they will not say is where the money is going to come from, my guess is that they will end up borrowing it which will lead to more problems with interest charges and repayments."

The busway is due to open later than planned in the middle of 2013.

Improvements For Cyclists at Luton Stations

Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced a grant of £237,000 to improve facilities for cyclists at train stations in Luton. £176,000 will provide 228 secure spaces at Luton main station; £61,700 grant will give 40 places at Leagrave Station.

Liberal Democrats secure improvements to disability assessment measures

Liberal Democrats have secured improvements to the way disabled people will be assessed for the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) announced today by the Coalition Government.

The move follows concerns that some people, who can only walk short distances, would have failed to qualify for the higher rate PIP which is due to be introduced in April.

But following concerns raised by Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd and Baroness Celia Thomas the Coalition Government has now amended the definition to include people who can only walk short distances, infrequently and in great pain.

This effectively means people who were anxious about losing their Motability vehicles in the future can now rest easy.

Commenting, Co-chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Work and Pension, Greg Mulholland said:

“These changes, fought for by Liberal Democrats in Parliament, will bring clarity and peace of mind to thousands of disabled people and deliver the right support for people who need it most.

“This adds to other Liberal Democrat victories on PIP, including our call to ensure the Motability component remains for those living in residential care, which was accepted by the Government.

“Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are delivering a fairer society to ensure those with disabilities are protected and receive the support they need.”