Will Christchurch bus changes be just the ticket? (From Bournemouth Echo)

Will Christchurch bus changes be just the ticket?

8:00am Wednesday 21st July 2010 in

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IT’S all change on the buses for residents of Christchurch as a new route for residents of Highcliffe and Hurn is launched next week.

Three of the borough’s bus services are being merged by Dorset County Council to create a new route, the 111 that will provide a through service between St Catherine’s Hill and Highcliffe Beach car park via the town centre and Sainsbury’s.

The new route will also cover parts of Highcliffe that aren’t currently served by buses, with the C1 and C2 service along with the 750 school days service combining to create the 111.

Shamrock Buses, which operate the service, will run the route earlier and later than at present, although the bus will no longer stop at River Way.

The route will travel along The Runway rather than Bure Lane, to make a saving on time and Carisbrook Way will no longer be served.

Instead, the bus will be routed from Lymington Road via Nea Road, Smugglers Lane South and North, Langley Road, Woodhayes Avenue, Cranemoor Avenue, Thursby Avenue, Braemar Drive, Chewton Common Road, Gordon Road and Waterford Road.

Where there are no bus stops the service will operate on a hail and ride basis.

Christchurch Borough Council concessionary bus passes can be used on the new service where changes result in buses running before 9.30am.

Leader of Christchurch Borough Council, Cllr Alan Griffiths, said: “This is a significant improvement in the service in Christchurch, which meets requests made by residents.

“I look forward to seeing increased passenger numbers on the new, combined route.”