Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney took to the road in Huddersfield to investigate how well isolated communities are served by public transport.

The Conservative Party politician travelled by bus and train from the hamlet of Wilberlee in Slaithwaite to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as part of a Transport Committee enquiry into the state of public transport around the country.

Mr McCartney brought committee clerk Nick Beech along for the ride which involved using a mix of transport to see how well rural and urban services linked with each other.

The pair talked to residents along the one-hour route to ask their opinions on the services and popped in to say hello to Huddersfield station’s Visitor Information Point volunteers.

They took the K21 Stotts bus to Slaithwaite Rail Station before boarding the 12.04pm train to Huddersfield and then travelled on the 372 from the town’s centre to the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Mr McCartney said: “I know that transport is a huge issue in the area so I decided to see how those fared in isolated communities, of which there are a few in the Colne and Holme Valleys.

“I know it can be sometimes a challenge to get from place to place, yet I think that the trip showed that our area does pretty well.

“Services were well-linked and well-used by members of the public.

“However, there is no complacency and we will use this as a case study within our overall enquiry.”

Mr McCartney also praised the work done by the Huddersfield rail station Visitor Information Point volunteers.

He said: “The work that they are doing at the train station is really appreciated and they are helping to make the station a place that all residents can be proud of.

“I can’t thank them enough.”

The assessment is one of several being carried out by the committee, as part of an overview of the nation’s public transport.

Mr McCartney will next week ask the House of Commons for permission to begin an investigation into the cost of transport during holiday periods.

He said: “I think it’s important that we carry this out because prices seem to increase at these times.”

He will report on the findings of his Kirklees trip to the committee next Monday and Tuesday.

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