Local councillors have agreed to provide the bus on a weekly basis in a bid to rejuvenate the weekly market, while providing transport for those who find it difficult to get into the centre and shop.

The 15-seater “Winnie” bus will be supplied by rural transport operator Beverley Community Lift, who will also provide a volunteer driver to pick people up from their doorstep and drop them back home again later.

It follows other bus services that already ferry shoppers from outlying villages to the market each week.

Market Weighton councillor Stephen King proposed the idea after reports that the market has been flagging in recent months.

He said: “The reason behind it is that for some months the Friday market has not gone as well as we hoped – there’s been a reduction in the amount of stalls and the number of people shopping.

“Young mothers and the infirm from estates all around Market Weighton have said they cannot get to the market so we thought it would be good to use our membership of the community bus.

“There are buses that bring people in from the villages, but nothing for people who actually live within Market Weighton.

“It will cost the council about £1.30 a mile to use the bus but it will be money well spent if it helps improve the market facilities.”

Starting on 3 October, it will run every Friday and cost passengers nothing.

Residents who are interested or would like more information are being asked to contact the council on (01430) 871430.

Once a list of people has been compiled, the council will then plan a route and approximate arrival times in an effort to suit everyone.

Councillor King says that the service will run for a trial period of three months and then be re-assessed.



l What do you think of the moves to inject new life into Market Weighton Market? Will the bus be useful? Contact us with your views. Write to Letters, The Pocklington Post, 2 Railway Street, Pocklington, YO42 2QZ or email news@pocklington post.co.uk