Ross-on-Wye funding revival of 132 bus to Ledbury via Newent

People from Ross-on-Wye, and surrounding areas such as Upton Bishop and Gorsley, made the special trip to a meeting this week to have their say on the lack of bus routes.

They hoped funding for a regular bus service between Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury, via Newent, would be given the go ahead by Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

Rail&Bus for Herefordshire previously said it is backing Buses4us.org to reinstate the bus route, with Stagecoach cutting the 132 service earlier this year.

READ MORE:

• Key bus service between Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye could be revived
• Success for campaign to get new bus service for Ledbury
• Stagecoach bus route from Herefordshire town set to be axed

Despite the firm saying the route was running at a loss, the group said the buses were by no means empty, with a group of ex-passengers trying to revive it now.

It is donating £1,000 in the hope that every town and parish council on the route will also support the route financially, with Ross-on-Wye Town Council ploughing £26,000 into the route for a 12-month period.

Campaigners, who squashed into the council chambers so they could share their views, said it had been "frustrating" for many as it is the only way for some to get around.

Stopping the service has hindered many from getting to work, appointments, and cutting them off from socialising.

OTHER NEWS:

• Why this historic Herefordshire pub is under threat
• Police told to ‘keep an eye’ as antisocial behaviour spike hits Herefordshire town
• Merton Hotel, Hereford, to be turned into housing

This had led to impact of mental, social, and physical health, the group said.

It called the current transport "inadequate" and said one young lady had lost her job because of it.

Town councillors said although expensive, the bus service was very much needed.

Coun John Winder, the chair of the committee leading this project, said it would be budgeted and the council should support it.

But Councillor Jane Roberts said although there are gaps in the data of the positive report, in the end the council must try it and that is how they will learn that there are enough people using the service to make it a long-term proposition.

Ross-on-Wye Town Council voted in favour of the proposal and announced that it would be funding with £26,000 towards first year running costs.

Members of the public applauded at the news.

But mayor Ed O'Driscoll urged them ask their parish councils to work on funding to also help the new service.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest Ross-on-Wye news? Click here to sign up for our weekly Ross-on-Wye email newsletter.