Cumbrian councils are set to be given more powers to overhaul bus services across the region as part of a government plan. 

A package of measures to empower local leaders to take control of their bus services has been unveiled today by the transport secretary Louise Haigh.

Legislation is being laid before Parliament which will give all local transport authorities across England new powers to run their own bus services – powers previously limited to mayoral combined authorities.

The move means that local leaders across the country can deliver services in a way that suits the needs of their communities.

The government has also launched a consultation on new draft guidance to provide advice and support for local leaders looking to bring services into public control.

The government hope that the new guidance will help break down barriers to local control of bus services, speeding up the process and bringing down costs.

The guidance will also put the needs of passengers and bus drivers first – by encouraging local transport authorities to consider driver welfare and passenger safety, including anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.

Buses remain the most used form of public transport across the country, but have been cut back in recent years across Cumbria. 

The number of miles covered by bus services in Cumbria has fallen by a fifth over the last decade, new figures show.

It comes as bus services across England have been cut severely over the same time period.

The Campaign for Better Transport said declining bus provision is "disappointing" and called for a long-term funding strategy.

Department for Education figures show bus companies in Cumbria provided 8.2 million miles of services in the year to March – up from 7.8 million the year before.

In 2012-13, 10.4 million miles were provided, meaning bus coverage has been cut by 21% over the last decade.

Nationally, the total length of bus routes has fallen by 21 per cent, from 1.3 billion miles in 2012-13 to 1 billion last year.

READ MORE: Cumberland Council announces bus service improvements

Transport secretary, Louise Haigh, said: "Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, but for too many people it has become impossible to rely on local services, as routes have been slashed and timetables hollowed out.  

"This is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country. After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers.

"And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before.

"With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first."