Sunday bus service to Avebury cut

Avebury 222

Image by Chris

tjj Apr 22, 2011 21:03:08

Whether or not you are an advocate of public transport, this is appalling news. As from June 5th it will not be possible for anyone to travel to Avebury by public transport on Sunday as the service will be terminated. The 49 bus has been included in funding cuts made by Swindon Borough Council to Sunday and evening services. Surprising news to anyone who thought this service (known as the Trans Wilts Express) was funded by Wiltshire County Council.

Statement made on Stagecoch service web-site:
"We regret that as a result of the total withdrawal of Swindon Borough Council funding for evening and Sunday bus services in Swindon that further changes will have to be introduced from Sunday 5 June 2011". (http://www.stagecoachbus.com/extuploads/leaflet_lowres.pdf)

I have it on good authority that this includes the 49 bus.

tjj Apr 22, 2011 22:09:52

Replying to tjj

Was wondering if you would like to pick this up ... would be appreciated.

tjj

tjj Apr 23, 2011 07:28:27

Replying to tjj

This may of course have an impact on the much publicised Megameet Picnic which I believe is to be held on a Sunday this year. I wasn't planning to attend and I rarely go out to Avebury at weekends these days (its far too busy) .... guess you all have bright shiny cars and the need to get anywhere by bus is not an issue.

I didn't really expect any response - except perhaps the polite one received from a mate. Its sad to see a service that allowed people to travel to a World Heritage Site from Devizes and Swindon eroded in this way.

Here's some music for the weekend ... not relevant to sod all but enjoy anyway. Cheerio!

http://youtu.be/tbZDjnWtK1A

supercat Apr 23, 2011 09:27:36

Replying to tjj

I am personally gutted by this. I intended to spend my 'golden' birthday there on that very day with my brother. Thanks for the heads up Tjj, we're going to have to rethink plans. It really is a shame for visitors. xx

tjj Apr 24, 2011 11:04:45

Replying to tjj

I had forgotten about the Swindon-Pewsey bus which I'm sure I've seen going through Avebury. They may have changed the route as I can't see Avebury on the time-table but it must go quite close (stops at Oare before it gets to Pewsey).
http://www.wdbus.co.uk/site/uploads/publications/157.pdf

I was thinking about the people who stay over and camp on the Saturday around the Summer solstice - a lot of them come on public transport and would effectively be stranded if they can't get back to a train station the following day.

thesweetcheat Apr 24, 2011 13:35:13

Replying to tjj

Just seen this thread and your news story June. That really is terrible news. Avebury is one of the few megalithic sites that is accessible by public transport on a Sunday and now it will not be.

This f****** government and the Tory-run councils are a complete disgrace. But as long as we're all in it together then that'll be okay won't it? I'm sure they're all deeply affected by the cuts that are being made.

As an aside, nearly all Sunday/evening bus services in Shropshire have now stopped. I suspect it will be the same everywhere soon. Because then us proles might be able to get out into "our" countryside, and enjoy recreational activities. Which isn't right is it? We should all be back in our ghettos watching Britain's Got Talent and behaving ourselves. Plus, if you let us go anywhere we might notice that large swathes of the countryside have been sold off to Cameron and Osborne's mates. F***** hell.

I thought this ridiculous administration was supposed to be encouraging people to be more "green"!

F****** livid.

tjj Apr 28, 2011 16:54:09

Replying to tjj

Right, have unlocked this thread as I'm trusting that everyone is going to be polite to each other even if we don't agree, and that includes me.

This is an archaeology forum and not the place for political tub thumping - it is no secret however that I am a supporter of public transport and I do think the number of cars whizzing around is madness.
That aside I can fully understand the convenience of owning a car so in the interest of a balanced argument here is the report which appeared in the local newspaper today. The comments are very varied.
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8996629.Cuts_mean_it_s_all_change_on_buses/

In the actual newspaper report it says in regard to the 49 bus that funding will be cut but the effect not yet known - which is slightly different to the information I received a last weekend. Whilst I fully appreciate it is not cost effective to run empty buses on a Sunday, it would be good if one or two ran to Devizes and back - as much for the sake of the people living in Devizes as anything. And in this day and age lots of people do work on a Sunday (NT restaurant for example).

Edited:

head-first Apr 29, 2011 23:34:19

Replying to tjj

To voice your concerns, contact the South West branch of Stagecoach here:

[email protected]

This page allows you to email the chairman of Stagecoach:

http://www.briansouter.com/contact-details.aspx

I intend to write to them, as I use this service every weekend. Alternatively, 'Bus Users UK' are an independent organisation and appeals body:

http://www.bususers.org/index.html

This is the address of their chairman:

[email protected]

Fingers crossed...

tjj May 5, 2011 17:27:22

Replying to tjj

Have just checked my own emails and found this one from Stagecoach (dated May 5th) which is excellent news. I have no complaint against the local paper which raised this issue as am sure cuts would slip through if no one objected.

I am afraid you cannot rely on what you read in newspapers which have had information sensationalised to increase sales!

The information Stagecoach West passed to the Swindon Evening Advertiser made it very clear that Service 49, which is funded by Wiltshire Council on Sundays, was never under threat despite the withdrawal of revenue support for every other evening and Sunday tendered service by Swindon Borough Council.

Accordingly Service 49 will continue unchanged from the existing timetable.

I trust this is the good news you were hoping for.