Sherston bus route changes discussed (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Sherston bus route changes discussed

3:00pm Saturday 9th June 2012 in Malmesbury

Elderley residents let down by the re-routing of a bus service away from their homes in Sherston are being invited to a meeting to discuss the changes next week.

Wiltshire Council’s deputy leader John Thomson called the meeting after several residents of North End Gardens expressed concern at being stranded without the service.

As reported in the Gazette & Herald at the end of May, operator Andybus made the changes to allow the No 41 service to run reliably after it often got delayed by parked cars in North End Gardens – resulting in a fine from the Traffic Commissioner.

Coun Thomson, Ian White, head of Service Passenger Transport, Andy James, from Andybus, and members of the parish council will attend Wednesday’s meeting at Sherston Village Hall at 2pm.

Passengers who used the service are bring urged to attend to “try and find a solution which provides a service that will be used, but avoids Andybus being fined”.

Andybus decided to re-route the service last month after it was heavily criticised by the commissioner, causing pressure on the firm to introduce a new timetable without requiring additional buses, which would have to be paid for by the council.

Coun Thomson said: “One area where buses got delayed was North End. The buses used are modern low-floor vehicles which are larger than the less accessible vehicles previously used and there have been occasions when these vehicles have got stuck due to inconsiderate parking by other vehicles.

“The bus company therefore recommended the North End diversion be withdrawn to enable the service to run reliably.”