A COUNCIL leader has welcomed a new dales bus service for rural students but says a return to lodging grants is the best solution to their problems.

Coun John Blackie, leader of Richmondshire District Council, was talking about a bus service being launched next month from Wensleydale and Swaledale to Darlington.

The new service, which is being funded jointly by North Yorkshire County Council and the Hambleton and Richmondshire rural transport partnership, is designed to boost employment and education opportunities for people who want to travel to Darlington.

Coun Blackie said: "I'm absolutely delighted. It's something that I've been pressing for since the government took away discretionary grants for students to use on lodgings in 1998.

"I am particularly pleased that all of Swaledale has now been opened up for youngsters to get to Darlington college and back. However, it still means very long travelling time for someone from Hawes, for instance. They are still looking at four hours a day on bus journeys.

He added that he would like a return to the grants system that allowed students to lodge close to colleges in places like Darlington, York and Harrogate and return home at weekends.

"The removal of the grants placed youngsters living in these rural areas at a complete disadvantage. Many of them, seeing the arduous travelling times involved, did not follow a college career and lost out on opportunities as a result."

The new Monday to Friday peak period bus service between Wensleydale and Darlington and an additional peak journey between Gunnerside and Richmond will start on September 3.

The X59 service leaves Askrigg at 7.15. The No 30 service will leave Gunnerside at 7.30 and connect with the X59 at Richmond, arriving in Darlington at 8.52. The return service leaves West Row, Darlington at 5.10.

Further information on the timetable and connections is available from the county council travel line on 0870 608 2608.