Swooped PK02RFF

One of the latest buses in full swoops is 480 PK02RFF

Richard Smith managed to get a couple of photos in red before the swoops:

And then a couple out in service, looking very smart

and then I managed one as well

Five Photos: Torpoint Depot September

Having a few days off work is allowing me a bit of timer to go back through all my emails etc and pick up on some planned posts which for one reason or another never actually happened.  One such post was looking at the buses which are in storage at Torpoint. These were all taken towards the end of September by Peter Heath:

Thanks to Peter for sending the photos in, sorry it has taken so long to post them!

Cornwall Transit 022

Last Two Weeks

Notices posted on VOSA over the last two weeks:

St Ives Bus Co 2 [PH1053866.015] Trenwith Shuttle

VOSA Notice

• PH1053866/15 - 
• ST. IVES BUS CO. LTD, 4 ROSEWALL TERRACE, ST. IVES, TR26 1QJ 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between Trenwith Car Park and Trenwith Car Park 
• given service number 2 
• effective from 04-Dec-2015. 
• To amend Timetable.

First Kernow 101 [PH0004983.360] St Austell Eden Project

VOSA

• PH0004983/360 - 
• FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED, UNION STREET, CAMBORNE, TR14 8HF 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between St Austell Trinity Street and Eden Project/ Luxulyan School 
• given service number 101 
• effective from 13-Dec-2015. 
• To amend Timetable

Coming up

Previously announced changes coming up in the next two weeks :

St Ives Bus Co 6 [PH1053866.022] Higher Stennack Porthmeor Beach

VOSA Notice

• PH1053866/22 
• ST. IVES BUS CO. LTD, 
• 4 ROSEWALL TERRACE, ST. IVES, TR26 1QJ 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between St Ives Car Park, Higher Stennack and St Ives, Porthmeor Beach 
• given service number 6 
• effective from 02-Nov-2015. 
• To amend Timetable.
• No new timetable found, no real surprise there

First Kernow fleet news

It seems that repaints have slowed down a bit. 69218 69223 69226 are the latest reports I have seen

First Kernow

There is a nice post on their Facebook page at the moment giving some more background to their brand consultation:

Brand Consultation

Thank you to everyone for all the feedback and comments so far. We're still open for further comments feedback and suggestions, but now is a good time to pick up on some of the general feedback and reply to some of it.
We're very conscious that some customers have had to contend with some cancellations and disruption over the Summer and we're really sorry about this. We've struggled a bit for staff since Western Greyhound suddenly went into receivership on 13 March. We had to take a view on how much service we could run across the summer season with both the staff and buses we could muster. We could have played really safe but took the decision to operate as much as we possibly could manage with the expected staffing and vehicles available to us, and that has been challenging.
As well as finding drivers, it's fair to say that some who joined us from Western Greyhound drifted off across the summer, probably having decided that our style of operation wasn't for them.
Now we're into the Winter timetable the staffing situation has improved, and we're busy recruiting for the future. It takes about 4 months from starting to advertise for new drivers until they are working alone, so this is an ongoing process. It was also a fair few years since we had operated in the Newquay area, and we only really now have experience of summer traffic delays and running times, so we'll be looking to use this experience to make our timetables more robust for next summer.

On the vehicle front, we are now in the process of changing over around 90 vehicles with newer low floor ones and that is a bit of a challenge as we bed the newer ones in, but will provide better buses in the medium term.

So onto the branding...

Firstly, buses have a hard life, and generally need reprinting every 3 to 4 years, so a fair number would be due a repaint over a relatively short timescale. In truth many are long overdue in Cornwall, so we're not looking at lots of unnecessary cost
One of the key reasons though to adopt a new brand s d colours is to better market our buses to new customers and visitors. By investing a bit of money in better marketing we get more customers like any business. More passengers travelling means a sustainable business that can invest in better buses, more buses etc., so it's as much about increasing the viability of our business as spending money on painting. In terms of a new brand, we aren't planning on suddenly reprinting the fleet though. We see the initial rebranding and colours being applied to new and refurbished buses, which would probably introduced where possible on a route by route basis. It would be part of a plan to give specific routes a bigger overhaul, including things like the information at the bus stops, and looking to improve the timetables themselves on the route.
So finally for now - the concept bus...
...we've considered all sorts of colours over the past year. Black and white are not easy colours to keep clean. Metallic colours are more difficult to apply but also more time consuming and specialist to repair.
We've been encouraged by all sorts of people to use green, but we're still very open to which greens, what colours could give a contrast and the layout.
Thanks for reading all of this and please feel free to continue to offer your thoughts...

Kernow Fox on Facebook

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR FOLLOWERS.
Many of you will be wondering when Kernowfox will commence operations.
As some will know The Government has announced that from 2018 Cornwall Council will be able to Franchise Bus Services in the county. In effect this will put Cornwall onto the same basis as London in that commercial services will be abandoned and the County will specify the services and issue contracts only for those services it deems necessary and for which it has funding.
The main issue here for us is that if we spent the next 3 years developing a network in Cornwall it could be for nothing and our investment and work would be lost maybe to another operator. Any investment in new vehicles which would require years to recover the capital cost would also be lost.
From the passenger point of view this is bound to lead to 3 years of less than needed development of the Cornish Bus network. When the Council does franchise there is no guarantee that the existing successful services in the county would be retained or that there would be an improvement. Indeed most of the cuts to the network have been the result of Council spending cuts of supported services.
We would reiterate that this is NOT just a Kernowfox issue it affects all bus operators within Cornwall- However Kernowfox was at a point where it had to take a decision whether to invest in Cornwall's services- we had delayed that decision because following the demise of Western Greyhound some settling of the replacement network of First Kernow, Plymouth Citybus and Stagecoach South West was deemed right and needed for the first year.
The franchising announcement happened as we were considering which services would have been introduced. Following the announcement of Franchising we have decided it is not prudent to spend our resources unless we can be sure of a reasonable chance of making a return.
Passengers should now consider if they think the bus services will remain as good as they are (and we know that in some areas they are far from frequent) under Council control or whether the present system is more desirable. Information on those services the council supports can be found in the front of First's current Timetable booklet, There are a good number of First Services which are commercial and those services could be changed reduced in frequency etc under these measures.
For now at least Kernowfox will not invest in developing a Cornish network, and for that we are deeply disappointed.

I am sure that this will come as a shock to so many of you out there…

Fancy buying your own bus company?

There has been a lot of interest in an advert placed on DaltonsBusiness.com:

 

The full advert reads

BUS OPERATING COMPANY, undertaking numerous REGISTERED SERVICES, including town, country and coastal routes. Benefits from no competition in some areas. Operating a fleet of modern buses, all low floor ensuring easy access. Main depot premises, presented and equipped to a high standard, vehicle and wash down area, bus parking facilities, additional visitor car parking, considered one of the largest operators in the area, benefiting from new Lease terms. Enjoying multiple income streams, income increasing year on year, turnover in excess of £1 million. Superb opportunity to acquire professional transport business, masses of potential to expand, could be amalgamated with similar business. Price on Application. Ref: M31380N

It remains to be seen who this is, and if they do get a sale. If its one of the larger companies then there may be competition issues to contend with?

There has been plenty of speculation with several companies mentioned as possibilities. Being described as one of the largest operators in the area does narrow the field down a bit as does the modern fully low floor fleet. That bit seems to rule out Countrybus at least. Dartline seems to fit the bill but the advert does not mention the coach business. I am sure all will become clear over time.

Viva la Gunnislake?

I have (quite rightly) been reminded that this blog is supposed to be covering other forms of transport in and around the region as well as just buses. With so much going on over the last few months its been easy to miss other stories that would normally have been covered here. Hopefully now things have quietened down a bit I can start to catch up on a few rail stories.

 

Lets start off with Vivarail.

Who are Vivarail?

Vivarail Ltd. was formed in 2012 to produce a new type of rolling stock designed specifically for local rail services – the D-Train.  Vivarail is headed by Adrian Shooter CBE, previously Chairman of Chiltern Railways, and the development team draws on almost 200 years’ experience in railway engineering and operations. The company is privately funded, in association with an international company that has a successful track record in railway developments worldwide. It is based at a rail-connected site in central England with full manufacturing facilities and a dedicated 4km test track.

The D-Train?

Traffic on Britain’s regional rail routes is growing quickly, but suitable rolling stock is in short supply. Existing diesel trains are fully utilised, and many older vehicles no longer meet passengers’ aspirations. Network-wide electrification can be the solution in the long term, but this will take time – and more capacity and better comfort are needed now.

The answer to this problem is Vivarail’s D-train – a new concept that can supplement or replace existing trains, upgrade services and equip new routes, at a fraction of the cost of buying conventional new rolling stock

The D-train uses the bodyshells, bogies and motors from surplus London Underground District Line trains. The bodyshells are made from corrosion-free aluminium, and will be re-engineered to give additional collision protection. The “flexible frame” bogies – which are specifically designed for lower-quality track – are barely 10 years’ old.

D-Trains are much more than London’s cast-offs. Instead they offer a new concept in sustainable travel for local rail services, with a first-class engineering pedigree.

 

Vivarail aims to begin mainline testing in October with the prototype three-car train, initially on the Moreton-in-Marsh - Honeybourne section of the Oxford - Worcester line, which passes the company's Long Marston base. A passenger trial with a franchised train operator will take place early next year.

So what has this got to do with us?

Well there was an interesting letter on the Cornwall Railway Society Web Site:

“"GROCKLE TRAIN Testing in passenger service [of the 3-car Class 230 demonstrator train] will 'follow in the new year'. While Adrian Shooter would not be drawn on the location of the test service, informed sources expect it will be on First Great Western [sic] under the requirement in the Direct Award franchise agreement.  Bristol-Severn Beach had been suggested as the evaluation route but FGW has settled on the Plymouth-Gunnislake branch with the unit based and maintained at Laira depot.. This is the logical choice since the Gunnislake branch will be more demanding operationally."

All very interesting!

It remains to be seen if it does indeed end up being tested down here. Its certainly a very interesting project so lets hope it gets through all its testing unscathed and the project starts to become a reality.

What do people think?

Devon Transit 021

The Last two weeks

None! Zilch. Nothing!

Coming Up

Previously announced changes coming up in the next two weeks:

Stagecoach 91 [PH1020951.244]

VOSA (DT018)

• PH1020951/244 - 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A Stagecoach South West, BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between Dartmouth Park & Ride and Dartmouth Pontoon 
• given service number 91 
• effective from 24-Oct-2015. 
• To amend Timetable.

I must admit I am a bit confused with this one. Traveline have a new timetable for the period 24 October 2015 to 1st November 2015.

• 91 Dartmouth – Dartmouth

Then there is a new timetable from 2nd November which sees the service cut to every 20 minutes.

• 91 Dartmouth – Dartmouth

What makes of of this even more confusing is that the licence look up on VOSA seems to skip PH1020951/244 so I cant look it up there. To make it even worse is that Stagecoach themselves dont seem to acknowledge that they even run the service at all.

There are no service updates available for Dartmouth at all. Then on the awful timetable look up on Stagecoach web site, when you select Dartmouth in the dropdown there is no mention of a service 91

And thats it!

Cornwall & Devon Transit Index

PCTPG Expands its remit

A notice just recently released by the PCTPG. (I cant seem to reproduce the full news letter on the blog)

Dear Member,

75 years ago, 1st October 1942, to be precise, the Plymouth Joint Services agreement was commenced  and this formed a firm, working relationship, between the Western National Omnibus Company and Plymouth City Transport.

This year, 2015, we find our group needing to review its objectives and identity in recognition of the increasing vehicle fleet and interests of our growing membership which is not solely that of the former council undertaking.

Thus formally, on 1st October 2015, we became the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group. This changes nothing for you, our membership, our interest in vehicles of PCT and PCB has not lessened.

However we now properly cater for the non PCT PCB vehicles in our fleet and look forward to increasing our appeal and welcoming enthusiasts as we grow and cater for their needs.

 

This seems as good a time as any to feature an excellent shot for Plymouth City Transport 103 taken by Andrew Wickham current MD of Go South Coast, formerly of this parish.

103 14 September 1984.

and then this one from the same time of Western National over at Torpoint.

As much as I am fond of the old Atlanteans, they could never compete with the old Bristol VRTs, especially the old flat screen ones like these.

Torpoint 9 September 1984

 

Thank to Andrew for the evocative shots!

You wait for ages for a bus…

Just a quickie for today but its a good one as it marks the long awaited return of another really good (if somewhat sporadic!) blog:

David Sheppards 270KTA blog has had an update, and there are more promised as he brings up up to date with her antics over the last year.

Its funny, just the other day someone was one Facebook saying how pleased they were that their photo was on Plymothian Transit. I still feel exactly the same way when I see mine used by other people on their sites!

I recommend his blog if you are even thinking about owning and restoring a bus. It will certainly open your eyes as to some of the work involved.  He is doing a great job on 270KTA as can be seen on several older posts on Plymothian Transit over the years.

9 September 2015

20 June 2012

23 September 2008

Turn up the feel good Plymouth

Former Blue Flash 504 hits the road in a new advert wrap for Heart FM. Pics thanks to Brian George:

 

All © Brian George - with thanks

A reminder of how it used to look

Cornwall Transit 021

As predicted its all gone nice and quiet which at last gives me a bit of time back to catch up on things! I am sure it wont be that long before we get a few more changes but for now at least lets enjoy the quiet

The Last Two Weeks on VOSA

St Ives Bus Co 1 [PH1053866.001] St Ives Penbeagle

VOSA

• PH1053866/1 - 
• ST. IVES BUS CO. LTD, 
• 4 ROSEWALL TERRACE, ST. IVES, TR26 1QJ 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between Penbeagle, Porthia Road and Penbeagle, Porthia Road 
• given service number 1 
• effective from 23-Nov-2015. 
• To amend Timetable

St Ives Bus Co 5 [PH1053866.021] St Ives Local

VOSA

• PH1053866/21 - 
• ST. IVES BUS CO. LTD, 
• 4 ROSEWALL TERRACE, ST. IVES, TR26 1QJ 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between St Ives, Royal Square and St Ives, Royal Square 
• given service number 5 
• effective from 21-Nov-2015. 
• To amend Route.

St Ives Bus Co 6 [PH1053866.022] St Ives Porthmeor

VOSA

• PH1053866/22 - 
• ST. IVES BUS CO. LTD, 4 ROSEWALL TERRACE, ST. IVES, TR26 1QJ 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between St Ives Car Park, Higher Stennack and St Ives, Porthmeor Beach 
• given service number 6 
• effective from 21-Nov-2015. 
• To amend Timetable.

Coming Up

Previously announced changes coming up in the next two weeks:

St Ives Bus Co 10 [PH1053866.019] Portmeor Trenwith St Ives

VOSA (CT018)

• PH1053866/19 - 
• ST. IVES BUS CO. LTD, 4 ROSEWALL TERRACE, ST. IVES, TR26 1QJ 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between St Ives, trenwith Car Parlk Lay-By and St Ives, Trenwith Car Park Lay-By 
• given service number 10 
• effective from 17-Oct-2015. 
• To amend Route and Timetable.
  • 10 Porthmeor Beach - Trenwith Car Park

A2B Newquay 171 [PH1088109.004] Newquay Padstow

VOSA Cancellation (CT018)

• PH1088109/4 - 
• A2B NEWQUAY TRAVEL LTD 
• T/A A2B Newquay Travel & JC Tours, 
• BEJOWAN FARM, QUINTRELL DOWNS, NEWQUAY, TR8 4PA 
• Cancellation Accepted by SN: 
• Operating between Newquay Bus Station, Manor Road and Padstow Old Railway Station 
• given service number 171 
• effective from 12-Oct-2015.

A2B Newquay 172 [PH1088109.005] Newquay St Column Major

VOSA Cancellation (CT018)

• PH1088109/5 - 
• A2B NEWQUAY TRAVEL LTD T/A 
• A2B Newquay Travel & JC Tours, 
• BEJOWAN FARM, QUINTRELL DOWNS, NEWQUAY, TR8 4PA 
• Cancellation Accepted: 
• Operating between Newquay, Manor Road Bus Station and St Columba Major, Trelawney Park 
• given service number 172 
• effective from 12-Oct-2015.

First Kernow fleet news

Former Western Greyhound Dennis Dart KN52NFU is now fleet number 43878 (still plain white) so presume has now been purchased rather than on loan. More buses have been offered for sale via eBay recently including 42463 R463CCV, 48201 T801RFB 60379 R624CVR. Volvo Olympians 34092 T892KLF has been sold to Jacketts Coaches (their first DD) and sister 34097 has been sold to Rosevideny, Several others have been sold to West Kent Buses. 34615 K615LAE is off for scrap.

As already highlighted in PT Enviro 33660 is now out in service in the new (trial) busKernow livery [Photo link]

PVLs start to sale off

Plymouth Citybus have started to withdraw their ex London Volvo B7TLs, starting off with those that were still dual doors. 4 of them have just been sold to Riverlink, Paignton to replace their step entrance fleet including Bristol VRTs. (It is expected that one will remain for next year). The 4 just sold are confirmed at 426 427 429 and 439 (I don't have a photo of that one!)

531 briefly goes Cornwall

The last post illustrated the new concept livery for First Kernow, or BusKernow if the livery is to be adopted. The same event in Cornwall saw another smart Enviro DD, this time Plymouth Citybus 531 in full swoops with Go Cornwall names:

This was just for the event as 531 is now back in Plymouth with standard Citybus logos.

First Kernow Brand Consultation

First Kernow have had a nice picture on the Facebook page recently which needs to be shared:

Last week we launched our new look concept bus at the Cornwall Transport Expo. The bus carries a new colour scheme which we are going to be consulting customers, partners and stakeholders on. We're looking for a new colour scheme and brand for our bus services across Cornwall, and are looking for feedback on this experimental green colour scheme. Please post your comments and feedback here (FK Facebook page).

Thanks to those who've already posted feedback and comments, they're very much appreciated. (CJ)

 

© First Kernow

From what I can see most feedback is very positive – its certainly a big improvement on standard First Group livery. Hopefully the more positive feedback it gets the more chance of this or something similar being adopted in the not to distant future. So please do leave your feedback on First Kernows Facebook page or email contactcornwall@firstgroup.com. (and let us know what you think as well!)

Meanwhile another promotion in Cornwall…

Every weekend from now until the end of 2015 kids can travel for free on all First Kernow buses when they travel with a full paying adult!

• Here's the small print:
• Children (age 5-16 inclusive) travel free when accompanied by a full fare paying adult
• Valid Every Saturday and Sunday for the remainder of 2015 (last date of offer Sunday 27 December)
• This can also be used with tickets bought on the M ticket app.
• Valid for tickets bought that day or on previously purchased 2 day / 3 day / 7 day / month / 6 month / 12 month tickets so long as they are valid.
• Excludes Truro Park & Ride

Devon Transit 020

Welcome to Devon Transit 020

At last things have quietened down and we return to more normal levels of activity. This should allow me to catch up on the historical changes as well as the present ones

Last Two weeks

Activity on VOSA from the last two weeks

Stagecoach 33 [PH1020951.216] Torquay Local

VOSA

• PH1020951/216 - 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Cancellation Accepted: 
• Operating between Torquay South Pier and Torquay South Pier 
• given service number 33 
• effective from 21-Nov-2015.

©Julian Walker (creative commons)

Stagecoach 56 56A [PH1020951.167] Exeter Exmouth

VOSA

• PH1020951/167 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between Exeter St Davids Station and Exmouth Bus Station 
• given service number 56/56/56A 
• effective from 23-Nov-2015. 
• To amend Route and Timetable.

Stagecoach 57 [P1020951.036] Exeter Exmouth

VOSA

• PH1020951/36 - 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between Exeter and Exmouth 
• given service number 57/57 
• effective from 23-Nov-2015. 
• To amend Timetable.

Stagecoach 58 [PH1020951.057] Exeter Budleigh Salterton

VOSA

• PH1020951/57 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Variation Accepted: 
• Operating between Exeter Bus Station and Budleigh Salterton 
• given service number 58/58 
• effective from 23-Nov-2015. 
• To amend Route and Timetable.

St Budeaux Local 223 [PH1020218.006] Target Travel

VOSA Cancellation

• PH1020218/6 - 
• DEALTOP (PLYMOUTH) LTD 
• T/A TARGET TRAVEL, 
• LANGAGE SCIENCE PARK, WESTERN WOOD WAY, PLYMOUTH, PL7 5BG 
• Cancellation Accepted by SN: 
• Operating between St Budeaux and St Budeaux 
• given service number 223 
• effective from 02-Oct-2015.

St Budeaux Taxibus 223 [PH1140056.001] St Budeaux Locals

NEW VOSA Registration

• PH1140056/1 - MARK LEGASSICK T/A ST BUDEAUX TAXI BUS, 32 TAMERTON AVENUE, PLYMOUTH, PL5 1TN
• Registration Accepted by SN
• Starting Point: St Budeaux Library
• Finish Point: St Budeaux Square
• Via: Barne Barton, Kings Tamerton
• Service Number: 223 St Budeaux Taxibus
• Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
• Effective Date: 05-OCT-2015
• Other Details: Mondays to Fridays except bank holidays.

 

Stagecoach 300 301 302 [PH1020951.252/3/4] Goosey Fair

VOSA

• PH1020951/252 - 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Variation Accepted by SN: 
• Operating between Yelverton Airfield Park & Ride and Tavistock 
• given service number 300 
• effective from 14-Oct-2015. 
• To amend Timetable.

• PH1020951/253 - 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Variation Accepted by SN: 
• Operating between Harford Bridge Park & Ride and Tavistock 
• given service number 301 
• effective from 14-Oct-2015. 
• To amend Timetable.

• PH1020951/254 - 
• STAGECOACH DEVON LTD 
• T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB 
• Variation Accepted by SN: 
• Operating between Lumburn Field Park & Ride and Tavistock 
• given service number 302 
• effective from 14-Oct-2015. 
• To amend Timetable

Sovereign Cars 381 [PH0006881.001] Otter St Mary local

Very late on VOSA

• PH0006881/1 
• RICHARD CHARLES KEECH & CYNTHIA MAY KEECH 
• T/A SOVEREIGN CARS & COACHES, 
• PINE LODGE, SIDMOUTH ROAD, ROUSDON, LYME REGIS, DT7 3RD 
• Cancellation Accepted by SN: 
• Operating between Ottery St Mary, Thorne Farm Way and Ottery St Mary, Thorne Farm Way 
• given service number ED/381 
• effective from 21-Sep-2015.Very late on VOSA 
• Route taken over by Dartline [PH0005305.055]

Countrybus 672 [PH1017984.082] Buckland Hall Newton Abbot

Cancellation on VOSA

• PH1017984/82 
• ALANSWAY COACHES LTD 
• T/A COUNTRY BUS, 
• KING CHARLES BUSINESS PK, OLD NEWTON RD, HEATHFIELD, NEWTON ABBOT, TQ12 6UT 
• Cancellation Accepted: 
• Operating between Buckland Hall and Newton Abbott, Sherborne Road 
• given service number 672 
• effective from 27-Nov-2015.

Coming Up

Previously announced changes coming up in the next two weeks:

St Budeaux Taxibus 223 [PH1140056.001] St Budeaux Locals

VOSA registration as above. This service has been temporarily run by Target Travel while the necessary licences were being sorted out for M Leggassick to take over properly

Stagecoach 300 301 302  [PH1020951.252,253,254] Tavistock Goosey Fair Park & Rides 7 October 2015 only

VOSA (DT020)

• PH1020951/252 - STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A Stagecoach South West, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
• Registration Accepted by SN
• Starting Point: Yelverton Airfield Park & Ride
• Finish Point: Tavistock
• Via:
• Service Number: 300
• Service Type: Limited Stop
• Effective Date: 07-OCT-2015
• Other Details: Wednesday 7th October 2015 fro Tavistock Goose Fair, then annually when the Goose fair is held

• PH1020951/253 - STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A Stagecoach South West, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
• Registration Accepted by SN
• Starting Point: Harford Bridge Park & Ride
• Finish Point: Tavistock
• Via:
• Service Number: 301
• Service Type: Limited Stop
• Effective Date: 07-OCT-2015
• Other Details: Wednesday 7th October 2015 for Taviistock Goose Fair, then annually when the Goose fair is held.

• PH1020951/254 - STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A Stagecoach South West, 
• BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
• Registration Accepted by SN
• Starting Point: Lumburn Field Park & Ride
• Finish Point: Tavistock
• Via:
• Service Number: 302
• Service Type: Limited Stop
• Effective Date: 07-OCT-2015
• Other Details: Wednesday 7th October 2015 for Tavistock Goose Fair, then annually when the Goose Fair is held

It seems that these were all registered for the wrong date as the original registrations above are all for the 7th October, whereas the new variations at the top of this post are all for the 14th – when the fair is actually on!

• 300 Crapstone - Tavistock
• 301 Harford Bridge - Tavistock
• 302 Tavistock – Tavistock

Filers 301 [PH1066351.004] Combe Martin Barnstaple

VOSA (D019)

• PH1066351/4 - 
• FILERS TRAVEL LIMITED, SLADE LODGE, SLADE ROAD, ILFRACOMBE, EX34 8LB 
• Variation Accepted by SN: 
• Operating between Combe Martin and Barnstaple Post Office 
• given service number 301 
• effective from 05-Oct-2015.
• To amend Route and Timetable.
• NO TIMETABLE CHANGE FOUND. Traveline still have the 21 September timetables. No mention on Devon CC Site and Filers don't even bother with their own timetables

News

You might have picked up the odd hint from myself that I am not a fan of the Stagecoach web site. In fact, “not a fan” is probably a bit of an understatement! There have been rumours of a brand new web site from Stagecoach for a while now, then on Sunday whilst doing research for this site I got this message:

You can imagine how pleased I was to see that.

You can then imagine my disappointment when trying the site again on Monday nothing had changed at all.

Hopefully there is a new site in progress and hopefully this is just a small technical delay …

Derriford–The next stage

Detailed plans for improving traffic flow in the Derriford area will be on public display next week.

The Derriford Transport Scheme, which will see improvements on the A386 Tavistock Road, aims to reduce congestion and create more road capacity for the extra traffic that will be generated by proposed developments in the area. It will also include better facilities for public transport, walking and cycling.

A preferred option was chosen in December 2014 following consultation with residents and businesses and we are now inviting people to view and comment on more detailed designs before the scheme is finalised.

Derriford Roundabout and the William Prance Road junction will be upgraded with additional traffic lanes, new bus lanes and improved traffic signal operation, as well as new, marked cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossings. Walking and cycling improvements will also extend towards The George Park and Ride.

People will be able to view and discuss the latest plans at two public exhibitions being held at our Windsor House building on Tavistock Road:

• Thursday 8 October (3pm to 7pm)
• Saturday 10 October (10am to 2pm)

The next step will be to develop a final business case for approval by the Heart-of-the-South-West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP), which is contributing £10.16 million towards the £12.72 million scheme. Construction is expected to get under way in Spring 2016 and take around 12 months.

The Derriford Transport Scheme is part of a ‘master plan’ of highway improvements that will help unlock development and deliver 9,000 new jobs and 3,000 new homes in the north of the city.

The first of these essential infrastructure improvements is the newly opened Marjon Link Road and funding has already been earmarked for future phases including the proposed Forder Valley Link Road.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Planning, said: “The A386 is the main route to and from the north of the city – including Derriford Hospital, the University of St Mark and St John and the Plymouth Science Park. It is often congested, especially at peak times and future growth in the area will put even more pressure on this busy part of our transport network. The Derriford Transport Scheme, together with our other planned infrastructure improvements, will help to keep traffic moving, improve bus journey times and reliability and provide better walking and cycling facilities along this key route.”

What is the Derriford Transport Scheme?

The Derriford Transport Scheme aims to reduce congestion between Derriford Roundabout and William Prance Road and create more road capacity for the extra traffic that will be generated by proposed developments in the area. Bus priority measures will be provided at both junctions to improve journey times and make services more reliable, particularly to Derriford Hospital. Pedestrian crossing facilities and on-road cycle facilities will also be improved.

This section of the A386 is a key route for people travelling between the city centre and the north of the city and it provides access to key destinations such as Derriford Hospital, the University of St Mark and St John and the Plymouth Science Park. Both Derriford Roundabout and William Prance Road manage very large volumes of traffic throughout the day and are often congested at peak times.

Proposed developments in the Derriford and Seaton areas could see around 3,000 new homes, as well as a new district centre, new shops and businesses and a new school. This will increase the number of people travelling to and from the Derriford area and put further pressure on the transport network.

How will the scheme be paid for?

The Department for Transport allocates funding for large scale transport schemes to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The Heart-of-the-South-West (HotSW) LEP covers Plymouth, Devon, Torbay and Somerset and it is currently considering which schemes from across its region should receive funding.

One of the schemes shortlisted for the first round of available funding is the Derriford Transport Scheme. In addition to the LEP funding we also have to provide a local financial contribution and it is anticipated this will come from new developments in the Derriford and Seaton areas.

When will work begin?

Subject to the HotSW LEP providing final approval for funding, it is expected that construction would start in 2016 and is likely to take about 12 months.

Options considered

We have carried out a considerable amount of feasibility work to see how we can improve the flow of traffic along this busy route and manage the additional journeys that will come from future developments. We have also looked at how we can provide greater priority for buses and better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, so we can encourage more people out of their cars and help to keep our transport network moving as the city grows.

 

Preferred option

In deciding which scheme to take forward, we have considered the consultation results, along with other factors such as impact on the wider road network and the environment, cost and value for money.

The preferred option is to upgrade the existing roundabout to provide additional traffic lanes, new bus lanes and upgraded traffic signals along with walking and cycling improvements. Keeping the roundabout means all current traffic movements can be maintained (including the ability to 'U-turn' using the roundabout), the impact on trees and vegetation will be reduced compared to the other options considered and traffic flow will be significantly improved.

This will be combined with improvements to the William Prance Road junction, including new lanes for general traffic as well as buses.

 

Kingsbridge by William Spencer

A bit later than planned, bit we have the final installment of Kingsbridge photos with these stunning shots from William Spencer:



Thanks again William, great shots!

(It seems when I set this post up last night I set it for 1st September rather than 1st October! I have reproduced it here so people get to see it!)