Big shake-up to Telford bus routes

Five bus routes in the Telford area are to be withdrawn and several others changed from this weekend in a massive shake-up of services announced by Arriva Midlands.

The number nine bus from Wellington to Bridgnorth; number 39 from Wellington to Much Wenlock; number 76 from Coalport to Lawley; number 91 from Telford town centre to Priorslee; and the 822 from Telford town centre to Roden, are all withdrawn.

Others have seen stops removed, with the company saying the routes were no longer commercially viable.

The number nine Wellington, Telford town centre, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth service will in future be partially replaced by the 88, 88A, 99 and 99A buses.

The 39 Wellington, Telford town centre, Madeley, Ironbridge, Broseley and Much Wenlock service will be partially replaced by the 88 and 88A buses running between Telford town centre, Dawley, Horsehay, Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge, Broseley and Much Wenlock with service 88A journeys running through to Bridgnorth.

The 76 Coalport, Madeley, Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, Horsehay, Dawley, Telford town centre and Lawley will be partially replaced by the 77, 88, 88A, 99 and 99A buses.

Service 24 between Telford town centre and Priorslee, along with services 891 and 892 between Telford town centre and Stafford Park will provide alternatives to the withdrawn 91 bus between Telford town centre and Priorslee.

Finally, the 822 service between Telford town centre, Oakengates, Hadley, Wellington, the Princess Royal Hospital, Rodington and Roden will in future be covered partially by the 65 and 66 buses.

There will be new routes and timetables for the 88 Telford town centre, Ironbridge to Much Wenlock services and the 88A from Telford, through Ironbridge and Much Wenlock and onto Bridgnorth.

The two services will combine to provide buses up to every two hours in the daytime, from Monday to Saturday, to replace service 39.

There will be new or revised routes and timetables for the 24, 25, 65, 66, 77, 99, 99A

Revised timetables will be in operation for the 23 and 519 services.

Keith Myatt, communications manager for Arriva Midlands, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council in the introduction of their new sponsored services. "

Timetables are available at libraries, tourist information centres, council offices and Travelink at Telford town centre bus station.

By Simon Hardy