THAMESDOWN Transport is set to introduce the largest overhaul of its bus services in almost a decade.

Sweeping changes will be made to services all across Swindon and residents have been advised to familiarise themselves with the new timetables before they come into force on January 8.

Notable changes include a direct connection between Highworth and the Orbital Shopping Centre and a bus to the Great Western Hospital every 10 minutes.

Peter Oliver, commercial director of Thamesdown Transport, said: “After taking the opportunity to review the network as a whole, we discovered ways in which we could better improve services in areas that we feel would benefit.

“We have spent a lot of time looking at North Swindon in particular, which is almost developing into a town in its own right, and that’s why the biggest changes will take place in the Oakhurst area.”

Mr Oliver described the focus as being on parts of the town other than the town centre and how people can be drawn more easily to places like the Orbital Centre.

“The town centre is vital to Swindon,” he said. “But in other parts of town there are alternatives and we need to reflect that. The Orbital Centre is a popular destination of choice and it’s about giving people alternative transport options to access it.”

Thamesdown’s Service 12, which covers North Swindon, will be extended with a new route to serve Blunsdon and Highworth. Passengers in Haydon End who previously used the Service 12 will be able to use an amended Service 15/15A.

The Orbital Centre will also connect with Eldene and Liden via Regent Circus (Service 13/14) and with Middle Wichel through Taw Hill and Oakhurst (Service 15/15A).

Another major change will see a bus stop at the Great Western Hospital every ten minutes, in which Services 1/1A and 16 will combine to provide a single service with a new route and timetable from Fleming Way to the hospital.

Mr Oliver explained: “We have a really good working relationship with the GWH. They have done a terrific job managing the heavy congestion issues and, as a result, traffic movements around the hospital have improved and our services have reflected that.”

However, as Mr Oliver acknowledges, some routes will likely suffer.

Service 27 from Kembrey Park to Lydiard Fields and Windmill Hill will be withdrawn, apart from lunchtime journeys between Lydiard Fields and Farnsby Street.

Mr Oliver added: “The withdrawal of Service 27 is bad news, but it has just not worked. We have tried to get people to use it for over a year but it has had more than its fair share of difficulties. It’s the only real negative amongst all of the changes.”

“We have very high hopes for the new services and we are hoping they will all be very popular. There is a lot of good news and it is all in the hope of increasing passenger numbers.

“Expectations will be high and we are looking forward to delivering quality services throughout the town.”

For more information log on to www.thamesdownbus.com.