New bus service set to start in Oswestry next month giving residents in eastern areas of the town more choice of travel
A new bus service is being introduced in Oswestry next month giving residents in eastern areas of the border town more choice of travel.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Shropshire Council announced today (Wednesday) the new 406 service will come into action from Monday, December 9.
The bus service will be operated by Tanat Valley and will provide "eastern areas of the town with more choice of travel early in the morning and in the early evening", according to the local authority.
The council said that the new service has been made possible by the award of £1.8 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) following the submission of its updated Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in July this year.
The new service in Oswestry is one of several planned improvements to bus services across the county included in the BSIP that has gained cross-party backing.
Earlier this month, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member with responsibility for public transport, Ian Nellins said Shropshire Council's "ambition remains" to secure £73.5 million to deliver proposals for bus service improvements.
Funding allocations were announced by the Government on Monday, November 18 and stated that the county council will receive just shy of £4 million in total - adding to the £1.8 million grant from the Department for Transport.
Speaking on the new 406 Oswestry bus service, Ian Nellins said: "I’m sure this change will be welcomed by current and potential bus users in Oswestry.
"Our analysis of the bus network, made it clear that Oswestry town service was in need of investment and improvement and I’m delighted that the money we have received from the DfT has helped to make this change possible.
"We will continue our efforts to secure further funding in the future to enable further improvements across Shropshire."
Shropshire Council added that the £1.8 million of Government funding has also made it possible to halve the park and ride fare in Ludlow and Shrewsbury, improve Ludlow's town service, and improve the Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury to Market Drayton services.
Residents can follow this link to see the 406 Oswestry town service timetable.
