From Northumberland Gazette

13 November 2006

School transport tops list of compliants to one MP in Northumberland

Alan Beth MP

SCHOOL transport for over-16s topped the list of complaints raised with Alan Beith MP during his 800-mile tour of 120 villages in his constituency.
Analysis of the subjects covered reveals that Northumberland County Council’s £360 charge for pupils’ transport to school or college, and the withdrawal of rail passes for Berwick students travelling to Newcastle College, was the issue raised most often. Roads and footpaths and NHS issues come second and third. Road issues included the threat to signs advertising local businesses beside the A1. NHS problems included the difficulty so many people are having in registering with a dentist. Also prominent were problems about financial services, threats to local post offices and shops, tax and benefits, housing and the wind farm issue.