Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

More info on the changes from WC.

The services will change this Sunday and I have now received more information about them from Wiltshire Council.

The details were given in my web post dated 16th August but the following has now been gleaned from Wiltshire Council.

'Hi Ernie,

Yes, 234 will go to the roundabout at the end of Leap Gate and back, although First have not shown it in their published timetable. Having realised this, we have put up posters on all the bus stops on Leap Gate so that at least the regular users will be aware.

The reason why First have decided not to send T1 into Paxcroft Mead is because they can’t provide a regular half hourly service around the whole route and serve Leap Gate as well without needing to use an extra bus and driver, which would substantially increase the cost of operating the service. As the reason for their review was to reduce the costs of operation so that the service would continue to be commercially viable, this was not an option for them. Leap Gate was omitted because it would save them the time needed to run with one less bus and driver, and relatively few passengers board there.

We were not happy to see Leap Gate abandoned, but could not afford the significant extra cost of paying for an extra bus to extend the T1, which would also not be justified by the numbers travelling from Leap Gate. We also have no other council-funded services in the town that could be extended there without again needing to pay for an additional bus and driver. We therefore agreed with First to pay them to divert the 234, although we are aware that this may not provide a long term solution.'