- New timetables start from 3 January 2017
- Changes take into account feedback from public consultations and local councillors
- Routes in Barnstaple and Bideford areas see biggest changes
Stagecoach South West has announced that, from 3 January 2017, there will be a new network of routes and timetables in key areas of North Devon. The announcement follows an extensive period of consultation involving both the general public and local councillors.
Routes in and around Barnstaple and Bideford see the biggest number of changes. These include a redesign of the Barnstaple town network focusing on Roundswell and Whiddon Valley, the introduction of a new route for East-the-Water and Appledore (15) and an amended 15 minute frequency on the core section of the 21 North Devon Wave between Bideford, Barnstaple and Braunton.
Robert Williams, Commercial Director for Stagecoach South West, commented: “These changes are a result of the excellent feedback we received from our consultation events and meetings with local councillors. I hope the solutions we are introducing meet as many of our customers’ aspirations as possible and set us on a path towards making the network more sustainable.”
Changes in more detail:
Route 8/8A is replaced by two new routes: route 11 that will provide a higher frequency to Forches and Whiddon Valley with links to Rose Lane, and route 19 that will connect Roundswell with the Hospital.
Route 10 to Gorwell is unchanged.
Route 11 is a brand new service that will run at an increased frequency of every 20 minutes between Barnstaple and Whiddon Valley. Two buses an hour will use the current route through Forches and, following numerous requests, the third will restore the link through Rose Lane.
Buses will run as anti-clockwise (11A) or clockwise loops (11C) to allow connections between Tesco, the doctor’s surgery and Forches.
Route 12 will now also serve Woodville, partially replacing route 8 for those unable to walk to the main road to catch route 21.
Route 13 will be replaced by more frequent route 11.
Route 15 is a brand new service that will run every 30 minutes between Appledore, Bideford Quay and East-the-Water. This is in direct response to customer feedback asking for improved off peak links to Bideford.
Buses will provide a clockwise (15C) and anti-clockwise (15A) loop around East-the-Water, giving an hourly connection between the estate and Tesco and the overall 30-minute frequency.
During morning and afternoon peak, buses will continue to Barnstaple. Outside of these times, customers can connect onto the 21 to Barnstaple at Bideford Quay.
Route 19 will become a Barnstaple only service. It will serve the Roundswell loop (currently served by route 8), providing a direct connection with North Devon Hospital. It will continue to run on a 30-minute frequency but buses will not serve Woodville on the way to Roundswell.
Route 21 North Devon Wave will see an amended frequency of every 15 minutes between Bideford, Barnstaple and Braunton to help with the long term viability of the route.
Buses will continue to Westward Ho! every 30 minutes, Ilfracombe every 30 minutes and Georgeham/Croyde every hour. The service to Croyde will become a through service from Bideford and Barnstaple Railway Station.
Route 75 will see additional morning journeys between Bideford and Atlantic Village. This is being done in partnership with Devon County Council and will address the current gap in service.
Under contract to Devon County Council, Stagecoach will be running routes 14, 16, 372 and 641. The timetables are largely unchanged except buses will no longer serve Bideford Pannier Market (14 and 16) and college journeys on route 372 will be done via a connection onto route 5B in Bideford.
To complement the network changes, Stagecoach has already introduced a new ticket zone, ‘Barnstaple Plus’, covering Barnstaple, Bideford and Braunton and providing a more cost effective alternative to the North Devon zone. A Dayrider Plus costs £3.50 and a weekly Megarider Plus just £12.50.
New timetables will be available online at www.stagecoachbus.com and in print shortly. Customers can also plan their journeys by downloading the Stagecoach bus app in the Apple and Play stores. For travel updates on the go, customers can follow Stagecoach on Twitter @stagecoachsw.
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