Shropshire Star

Park and ride in Shrewsbury to be suspended due to low passenger numbers

One of Shrewsbury's park and ride service will be suspended temporarily due to a fall in passenger numbers during lockdown.

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Harlescott park and ride will be closed temporarily

Harlescott park and ride will cease operating for the foreseeable future following the last journey on Friday.

The Meole Brace park and ride service was suspended earlier this month due to falling numbers and to the presence of travellers at the site, leaving just the Harlescott service operating.

However, many buses on the Harlescott service have been running with an average of just one person on a bus, and it has now been decided to suspend the service.

The Oxon park and ride service has been suspended since March last year, during the first lockdown.

Essential

Other town centre bus services will continue to operate to help transport key workers and those who need to make essential journeys.

Councillor Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “There is always a balanced judgment between continuing with services and the effectiveness and efficiency of those services in the current pandemic.

Harlescott park and ride

“Due to the fall in use of the Harlescott park and ride service, and the very low numbers currently using it, we’ve taken the decision to suspend the service from the last journey this Friday until further notice.

"We apologise for any inconvenience but this will of course be continually reviewed taking into consideration the latest advice, and it’s our intention to return these services back to operation as soon as possible.

“Other bus services will continue to operate for those who need to travel.

“Whilst the park and ride service is suspended we’ll be working with our partners to identify where best our transport services can be deployed to support essential services, key workers and our communities.”