Going head to head to save No 11 bus in Swindon (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Going head to head to save No 11 bus in Swindon
7:00pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Matthew Edwards
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Coun Rochelle Russell is having a meeting with Paul Jenkins, of Thamesdown Transport, to discuss changes to the No 11 bus route from the Orbital Centre
COUNCILLORS are set to meet the head of Thamesdown Transport to discuss changes to a bus route that has cut off many elderly residents from their community.
Gorse Hill councillors will meet Paul Jenkins tomorrow to discuss the changes to the number 11 bus route, and they are asking people to get in touch if they have been affected.
On January 6, revised routes and timetables were introduced in response to passenger usage, which included the Number 11 service being rerouted from the top of Pinehurst Road through Whitworth Road.
This has left the residents of Beech Avenue with no bus service from Monday to Saturday.
Coun Rochelle Russell (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) said she wanted to go into the meeting armed with a broad picture of the situation.
She said: “The number 11 bus route has been altered for efficiency reasons.
“It has left quite a lot of people in the Beech Avenue adrift.
“There is a post office for people along Greenmeadow, which is the only post office they can get to, but now they can’t use the bus.
“They would have to get a bus to the Orbital and then back through the houses, just to go to the post office.
“I know there are other bus stops but for elderly residents it is difficult.
“I am hoping that at the meeting I will be able to explain to Mr Jenkins the sort of people who are affected, just to see if there is any way to re-route the service.”
Retired quality controller Paul Kumra, 73, who has lived on Beech Avenue for 45 years, has been a regular user of the Number 11. He has set up a petition he intends to give to Thamesdown Transport.
Thamesdown Transport managing director Paul Jenkins said: “The recent changes made to our services were as a result of thorough analysis of how our passengers used the services, with the aim of making them more efficient and therefore commercially viable.
“Service 11 was also affected by the loss of around £500,000 a year in financial support from the NHS for services to the Great Western Hospital.
“Where roads are no longer served, we have tried to ensure there are alternative routes available nearby.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Comments(13)
RICHARDPIKE
says...
9:45pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Phantom Poster
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7:58am Wed 13 Feb 13
LordAshOfTheBrake
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8:02am Wed 13 Feb 13
But that would mean the adver journo's doing some proper work to build a story....! Ho Hum.
madred
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8:21am Wed 13 Feb 13
Morsey
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9:51am Wed 13 Feb 13
David Renard
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1:50pm Wed 13 Feb 13
David Renard
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1:50pm Wed 13 Feb 13
house on the hill
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1:58pm Wed 13 Feb 13
9:51am Wed 13 Feb 13
Some people comment on a political stance (against a Labour Councillor trying to help those on her patch who have concerns) on every story ... many have little geographical knowledge nor concern for those less mobile than themselves! Very selfish society we live in these days.”"""
Depends on what you mean by less mobile. How many people didnt look after themsleves growing up, eat and drank too much, smoked and did no excercise and basically got old before their time by their own actions or lack of them. It has been said that those who are active and look after themselves not only live an average of 8 years longer than their overweight unfit counterparts, but also have full mobility for an average of 16 years longer so I would dispute who are really the selfish ones expecting others to cater for their lifestlye choices! And no I know that doesnt apply to all but to an ever increasing number in our obese lazy society.
Morsey
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2:14pm Wed 13 Feb 13
You see, the genes often determine ones physical ability ... ask the royals, they delve into every nook and cranny of a prospective wife for a royal son, you will never see a fat, unhealthy K.Middleton type, or a shorthouse, they all have to be six footers+ to look down on the minions! A bit like 'house on the hill' appears to see the less fortunate in society.
Though, I do admit you are not totally incorrect with your assessment of the human race, there is much bodily abuse, mainly in the younger age groups, and it's not just over-eating!
house on the hill
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8:09pm Wed 13 Feb 13
Niwdlab
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8:24pm Wed 13 Feb 13
Fartim Poster
says...
9:24pm Wed 13 Feb 13
Some people comment on a political stance on every story ...
many have little geographical knowledge nor concern for others
Very selfish society we live in these days.”"""
John Smith II says...
8:04pm Tue 12 Feb 13
The bit about a post office is not really relevant. Greenmeadow is not the only post office in Swindon, indeed the number 11 (or number 15 from Cunningham Road) will take people to the town centre where there is a post office, or for those who don't want the walk in town it continues a couple of minutes up the hill to Old Town stopping pretty much outside a Post Office.
The change to this route to move it away from Beech Avenue has made a significant difference for the majority of users from Haydon Wick, who are no longer treated to an uncomfortable and indirect journey over every speed bump on Beech Avenue in order to get to and from the town centre.
Those complaining should be grateful that they still have such a high frequency service of accessible buses passing near to their homes, in many areas people are not so lucky.