CLWYD South MP Simon Baynes has spoken of his strong support for local coach companies hit by covid-19.

Mr Baynes made a socially distanced visit to Pat’s Coaches in Southsea to meet with local coach companies, including not only Pat’s Coaches but also Price Coaches, George Edwards & Son, Unicorn Travel and Straffords Coaches.

Over the last few months, Welsh and other UK coach companies have been badly hit by COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, and have taken part in the ‘Honk for Hope’ campaign, where coaches and buses drove in convoy and honked their horns across the country to highlight their need for support.

Mr Baynes said: “Local coach companies are of vital importance to our Clwyd South economy, and provide a valuable service to the community, providing school transport and very popular coach trips, especially for the elderly.

"As Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, I fully understand the important role that they play in the tourism industry across North Wales.

"I have been active in meetings with government ministers in Westminster in communicating the problems experienced by our Clwyd South coach companies and the need to provide further support and also in encouraging the Welsh government to assist them with extra financial support so they can recover from the crisis and prosper in the future.”