Park and ride service to Bridgnorth hailed a success

Passenger numbers on the Saturday service from Tasley into Bridgnorth have increased every week since the shuttle bus was introduced three weeks ago.

About 250 people used the bus last Saturday (APR 25), aided by a 52-seater coach being laid on for the town's St George's Day parade. About 150 people used the bus on it's first day in operation on April 11, and more than 200 used it the week after.

Members of Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce, who brought in the shuttle bus at the request of traders in the town, said they were delighted with how the service had been received.

The chamber is currently sponsoring the project, which means the bus will remain free until June.

Chamber chairman Steve Robbins said "We've been really pleased with the response so far.

"The main car park was almost full on Saturday with the St George's Parade going on in town.

"We had a 52 seater coach specially put on, shuttling people to the starting point.

"Without it the town would have been gridlocked with traffic, as people were arriving telling us the car parks there were all full.

"So many shoppers have told us how glad they are to be able to park easily here and be taken straight into the town centre, rather than try to negotiate the streets in town trying to find somewhere to leave their car.

"I think there's no doubt the demand exists for the service.

"One or two can't believe we're running it for free currently but as far as the chamber is concerned, if its improving the situation in the town and bringing more people to Bridgnorth, then commercially it makes good sense."

The park and ride was previously given a £2,000 boast from Shropshire Council to fund signs and A-boards to direct drivers to the buses.

The service runs every Saturday, starting at 9:30am from the livestock market Auction site, with the last bus leaving the town centre by Sainsbury's at 4pm.

The park and ride will not operate on June 13, August 29 and September 12 because of Nock Deighton sales at the market.

The pilot project will until the end of September and after the first seven weeks the charge will be £2 per car.