Area 32 Public Transport Group Committee

Parish Representatives:- Alan Baines, John Glover.

The Group provides the opportunity for parish representatives to raise and discuss public transport matters with the Council officer responsible for public transport. The Area 32 Group covers the parishes of Melksham, , Atworth, Broughton Gifford, Holt and Semington. Formal meetings take place about 3 times a year, which for some time have only been attended by representatives from the first 3 parishes, but matters needing urgent attention can be raised at any time. Despite the implementation of the new Area Board structure, there appears to be an ongoing role for the Group, however there are signs that the Area Board may soon be unable to resist trying to take on the responsibilities.

Once again, bus services in Melksham have been affected by enhancement/reconstruction works in the town centre. The temporary one-way system operating in High Street for the duration of the latest footway works again required bus services to be diverted. To allow buses to call at The Market Place, via King Street and Spa Road only, temporary bus stops had to be again set up in front of Crown Chambers and Crown House. As this arrangement has become necessary on several occasions, most passengers accepted the changes. The main problem was again motorists who persist in parking on the temporary bus stops, despite signs and copious amounts of yellow markings. Hopefully these arrangements will not be required for the next phase of work in Church Street.

The 237 service to Trowbridge, via Broughton Gifford and Holt, and the 72 service to Corsham have been withdrawn, being replaced by the Zig Zag from 1st August. This service runs between Trowbridge and Corsham via Bradford, Holt, Broughton Gifford, Melksham, Roundponds, Shaw, Atworth, Whitley and Gastard. The remaining Avon Road and Berryfield sections of service 72 were incorporated with the 73 service to Corsham via Lacock. All 3 services had low useage and some rationalisation was necessary to reduce costs, but also to offer increased journey opportunities.

In late summer 2010, First suddenly announced that they would no longer operate commercial services to Devizes. From 5th September, only evening and Sunday buses, funded by , would continue, with other Bath - Melksham buses running hourly between Bath and Bowerhill (Falcon Way). However, all these new 272 services now travel via Whitley. Fortunately, Faresaver stepped in to provide a service to Devizes, and the service X72 Bath to Devizes runs via Shaw and Kingsdown. Devizes to Urchfont/Easterton is now a separate Faresaver service X71. Day return tickets issued by Faresaver are valid for return on First buses after 6.15 in the evening.

The Melksham Metro service (14) is still operating to a high standard with the splendid regular driver, much to passengers appreciation. The route was slightly modified from the beginning of 2011 to incorporate Snowberry Lane as far as the first roundabout, and now turning directly into Lowbourne after calling at Sainsbury's, without revisiting Market Place. It should also be noted that the 3 lunchtime relief journeys do not employ a low-floor vehicle, but at least the timetable is maintained without any break.

The development of the new Asda store requires a contribution of £100,000 per year for 5 years, to fund buses serving the store and surrounding areas. We need to ensure that Wiltshire Council uses this money appropriately ! The best option suggested so far is for a second vehicle to be employed on service 14 over an extended route.

Alan Baines