Oswestry councillors want bus routes altered when contracts renew

Councillors in Oswestry want bus routes in the town altered when the contracts in the town are renewed.

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The 400, 402, 403, 404 and 406 will be reviewed and retendered next year.

Other services that will be looked at include the 576 Oswestry – Baschurch – Shrewsbury, the 71 Four Crosses – Oswestry, and the 54 Cefn-Y-Blodwell to Oswestry.

Shropshire Council is inviting residents to share their views and complete an online survey.

The unitary authority say that feedback collected through the survey, along with other information such as passenger usage data, operational requirements and available, will help inform the development of future contract specifications.

Councillors James Owen, Mark Owen and Care Johnson, who are part of the Future Oswestry Group, say that the town service routes in Oswestry should be extended to Gobowen Railway Station, the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, North Shropshire College and the leisure centre, as well as the Maesbury Road Industrial Estate.

“We are also pushing for the town service to expand through Morda and Weston, which would provide more regular bus services for those in Morda to reach our town efficiently and for residents to access key local attractions in Weston without a long walk or needing a car,” said Councillor James Owen.

“These routes are not finalised and so it is important that we continue to push for areas that will clearly benefit residents in Oswestry.”

Councillor Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and regeneration, said: “Local bus services are a lifeline for many people across Shropshire, particularly in our rural communities.

“Before we begin the formal retendering process for these services, we want to hear directly from the people who use them, rely on them, or would like to use them in the future.

“This survey is about listening to and understanding local needs. No decisions have been made about any changes to the services included, but the feedback we receive will help us better understand what matters most to residents as we develop future contract specifications.

“We know that budgets remain under pressure and that we must make the best possible use of the funding available. By taking part in the survey, residents can help us ensure that future services continue to meet the needs of communities across Shropshire.”

The survey closes on Friday, December 11.