A TRANSPORT campaigner has received encouragement from the Housing Minister to push forward a proposal to use public funds from property developments to increase bus services for a community.

Community activist Jack Sowerby told minister Christopher Pincher MP about his ambition to kick start more public transport in the Hummersknott area of Darlington during a visit to the town, which included visited a housing development under construction on Salters Lane.

Mr Sowerby told the minister the Hummersknott area was only served by the Barnard Castle to Darlington town centre service despite having two secondary schools and a significant number of elderly people. He said: “The service is very useful for people who live on Coniscliffe Road, but for people who live further away, the lack of bus services can leave people isolated.”

The minister praised Mr Sowerby’s ambition to use housing developers’ contributions from a Hummersknott development for a community-based scheme. Mr Gibson added: “Having spent a lot of time speaking to residents in Hummersknott during the general election and before lockdown, concerns around local transport were consistently raised with me. I am very happy to see young activist, Jack Sowerby, take on board this issue and pursue a number of avenues to ensure residents in Hummersknott have access to regular and consistent transport options across the town.”

Mr Sowerby said he was discussing the proposal with councillors.