New funding gets Newport to Shrewsbury bus service back on road

Ercall Magna, Waters Upton, Edgmond and Tibberton parish councils have sourced the money needed to cover the costs of running the 519 service on Saturdays after local communities campaigned following its withdrawal in September.

The councils and Newport Regeneration Partnership have pledged to fun the service for at least 12 months.

Councillor Ray Wickson, chairman of the Telford & Wrekin Bus User Group said: “This is an excellent example of small parish councils working together with Arriva to provide a valuable service to the rural communities. We are also very grateful to the members of the Newport Regeneration Partnership who realise the importance of enabling local residents to be able to access Newport and Shrewsbury towns for shopping and health appointments."

The service, run by Arriva Midlands, will launch this Saturday and will operate five times a day serving Roden, High Ercall Crudgington, Edgmond, Tibberton and Cherrington, and Heathgates.

Simon Mathieson, area managing director of Arriva Midlands North, said: “Although in the past Saturday services on the 519 experienced very low passenger numbers, which is what led to its initial withdrawal, we very much appreciate and understand the social need for these buses within the community.

"As such we are delighted to not only bring back the service, but to promote the benefits it will provide to local residents.

“Passengers have been incredibly passionate and dedicated in their campaign with the Telford & Wrekin Bus User Group to bring the service back, and we really hope that together we will be able to transform the fortunes of the 519 and secure a brighter, more sustainable future for the Saturday services so that we are able to continue offering much needed transport connections for those who rely on them.”