Changes to Bus Services

We've had this email from the County Council about changes to bus services in and around Shipston. Please share it so that bus users can find out about it as soon as possible:

Dear Parish Councillor

I am writing to inform you of some forthcoming amendments to bus services in your area

With effect from Monday 1st September 2014, there will be major improvements to the Johnson’s commercial bus services operating between Stratford, Quinton, Chipping Campden, Broadway and Moreton-in-Marsh. This is in connection with the new residential development at Meon Vale on the B4632 south of Lower Quinton. I attach a working copy of the new timetable and official versions will be distributed locally in advance of the changes and added to the Council Public Transport web pages.

On weekdays, for the greater part of the day, Meon Vale will receive a half-hourly bus service into Stratford. The bus will initially follow a short circular route in the development, dependent upon the roads being ready for use. Lower Quinton and Clifford Chambers will be served en route benefiting both communities with significantly more frequent buses (increasing from every hour to every half hour). 

There will also be additional journeys between Stratford and the popular tourist destinations of Chipping Campden and Broadway.

A new service known as the ‘25’ will be introduced starting in Stratford that will provide a direct link between Clifford Chambers, Quinton and Evesham via Broadway three times a day.

Johnson's Coaches will be withdrawing the once a day shopping service on the no 23 bus between Shipston, Stretton-on-Fosse and Moreton-in-Marsh. This service was introduced in 2011 by them on an experimental basis but has attracted negligible usage. For example, a loading survey was carried out on Friday 1st August 2014 and no passengers boarded this service at either Shipston or Stretton-on-Fosse to travel into Moreton-in-Marsh. An alternative service is provided on Moreton-in-Marsh Market Day, at more suitable shopping times, by Shipston Link. Stretton-on-Fosse also receives a Shipston Link service and uBus service to Shipston.

Service 23 is maintained at the current level through Ilmington, Armscote and Halford to Shipston or Stratford with some minor timing changes. This service is provided without financial support from the Council and the operator has expressed concern over the low usage (for the month of June there were 11 from Ilmington and 20 from Halford towards Shipston with 5 from Halford and 10 from Ilmington towards Stratford.). The service will continue to be monitored over the next year.

Due to the scale of this revision, minor changes to departure times will affect most journeys.

Should you have any questions regarding this please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours Sincerely

Stuart Kocan-Payne

Passenger Transport Development Manager
Transport Operations
Communities Group
Warwickshire County Council

Tel: 01926 412987 (Direct Dial)