Bus service is saved in last-minute deal

The 2L between Ludlow and Kidderminster was set to be significantly cut back to from next week, with early morning and late afternoon services scrapped completely.

But with just days to go until the service runs for the last time, a replacement timetable has been agreed between Shropshire and Worcestershire councils.

The news will come as a welcome relief to students and commuters, who looked set to be left stranded when Diamond Bus announced the 2L was being withdrawn on April 14.

A replacement timetable revealed a scaled-back service was scheduled to run only four times a day from Kidderminster to Ludlow, between 8.30am and 2.30pm, and four times in the opposite direction between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

But Worcestershire County Council today revealed earlier and later services had been added in time for the new service to begin operating next week.

A spokesman said: "In partnership with Shropshire Council we have now agreed a more extensive timetable with R & B Travel as well as additional school and college journeys with Diamond Bus starting from April 16."

The route is managed by Worcestershire County Council which receives a subsidy from Shropshire Council for the part of the journey this side of the border, servicing rural communities like Clee Hill, Hopton Wafers and Cleobury Mortimer.

The new timetable will now see buses from Kidderminster to Ludlow depart between 7.30am and 5.30pm, and the opposite way between 8.30am and 4.30pm. In addition, a school service from Cleobury to Kidderminster will begin at 7.40am, and a later service from Ludlow to Clee Hill will leave at 6.30pm.

Councillor Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow North, said: "I am appalled by the way this reletting of a routine bus contract has been handled.

"We need buses for our bucks. Shropshire Council must learn from this chaotic episode. The council must to insist on greater control over the bus services that run from our county into another."

A Shropshire Council spokesman said: "Following the recent tendering exercise undertaken by Worcestershire County Council, a new revised timetable - including peak journeys - will be effective from Monday 16 April. This will allow passengers to continue to travel between Ludlow and Kidderminster via Cleobury Mortimer."