New Christchurch bus was worth the wait (From Bournemouth Echo)

New Christchurch bus was worth the wait

9:45am Wednesday 28th July 2010 in

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Highcliffe residents eagerly clambered aboard the first bus to directly connect the village with Christchurch town centre and St Catherine’s Hill on Monday.

A group of Christchurch councillors gathered in the clifftop Waterford Road car park to see the first customers safely on their way and cut a ribbon to mark the official start of the service.

It replaces the C1 and C2 circular trips, which did not come into the village centre.

Borough council leader Cllr Alan Griffiths said he was “absolutely delighted” the new service had started.

“We wanted a bus coming into Highcliffe for a long time and this will be a real benefit for people,” he said.

“This means that anyone in west or north Highcliffe will have a bus they never used to have.”

After cutting the orange ribbon – to match the Shamrock bus livery – the Mayor, Cllr Nick Geary, said: “We’ve worked hard for this, really.

“I held the portfolio for transport and we’ve been trying to get a service for Highcliffe for a long while.”

With the service starting and ending at the clifftop car park, it brings it within easy reach of elderly residents’ accommodation and flats in the village.

And Cllr Geary said that when the financial situation eases, it is hoped to improve the service.

The first customers gave the bus the thumbs-up.

Beryl Sealy said: “We’ve waited years for this. We’ve come from Clive Road at the end of Smugglers Lane, so this is very positive for us.”

Barbara Riddaway was thankful for the bus because her car had gone for a service and she could foresee a time when she would stop driving and the bus would become a lifeline.

And Ivy Allen was pleased to hear it was a “hail and ride” service.

Driver Terry Angel said there were great improvements to the route in Highcliffe, which will take in Cranemoor Avenue, Braemar Drive and Chewton Common Road.

The first and last services of the day will start and finish at Moors Close at Hurn.