A PUBLIC meeting has been arranged to discuss the possibility of a user-funded bus to replace the 231 service in Chippenham, which is being stopped.

The meeting will take place on Thursday at the Pewsham Community Centre to allow residents the opportunity to discuss proposals for a new service, paid for by users, with councillors and Chippenham Community Transport.

Plans are very much in the early stages but Wiltshire Councillor Mark Packard is optimistic that, with contributions from residents, Community First would be able to put on a service between Pewsham and Chippenham bus and train stations up to three or four times a day.

Coun Packard said: “We have called a public meeting for next week and what I am working on is a skeleton bus service, ideally of three or four trips a day from Pewsham to the bus and train station. 

“My idea, at this stage, is that people who want to use it pay £20 a month and we may need 100 residents to do that. A lot of residents may have bus passes so don’t pay anything, so we may be able to provide a bus service but they will have to pay.”

The bus operating the service would continue to be owned and driven by Chippenham Community Transport, who would not look to make a profit.

Concerns over Pewsham residents being cut off from the town centre were raised last week after bus operator First West of England announced changes to its 231 service, which runs between Bath and Chippenham. 

As of August 23, the 231 will no longer serve London Road and the Pewsham Estate as First West of England attempt to improve punctuality.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan has said that a strong public transport system is essential following concerns from constituents in Pewsham over the cuts.

Miss Donelan said: “A number of people have raised concerns regarding bus services in the area. I am currently setting up a meeting with the managing director of First West of England James Freeman to discuss how important a good bus service is to many local residents. 
“A strong public transport network is essential for local residents.”

The new timetables will be uploaded to www.firstgroup.com/westofengland from early August under Plan a Journey. They will be available in hard copy format from mid-August.