Just the ticket – Cranbrook gets a bus service!
Bus services to the new community of Cranbrook will be introduced by Devon County Council from Tuesday 28 May.
The Services 4, 4A and 4B, funded by developer contributions, will replace services 60, 60A, 60B, X60 and 380 on the route between Exeter, Clyst Honiton, Cranbrook, Ottery St. Mary, Honiton and Axminster.
Devon County Council’s existing funding for Service 380 along this route will also continue towards the additional services.
In line with the requirements of the planning agreement for Cranbrook, there will be a half-hourly service between Exeter and the new community, with most buses continuing to Ottery St Mary and Honiton.
Beyond Cranbrook, one bus each hour (Service 4) will continue via Whimple Hand & Pen, Ottery St Mary, Alfington, Heathpark, Honiton, Wilmington, Kilmington and Axminster to Millwey Rise and one each hour (Service 4A) will continue via Rockbeare, Marsh Green, West Hill, Ottery St Mary, Alfington, Heathpark and Rosemount Lane to Honiton. Some of these buses also serve Gittisham.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “The new Service 4 has enabled the County Council to enhance the service along the entire corridor between East Devon and Exeter. Uplifting the whole service along this route, rather than just providing a shuttle bus between Cranbrook and Exeter, has made good use of the funding available, so it is providing value for money as well as providing a more regular service for passengers.”
The services will be operated by Stagecoach, who successfully won the competitive tender.
There are no Sunday buses for the first year of the service.
Summary of changes for each community along the route:
Clyst Honiton - service increases to half-hourly.
All buses will operate via the old A30.
The old school will no longer be served.
Rockbeare - service increases from two-hourly to hourly
Marsh Green - service increases from two-hourly to hourly
Whimple, Hand & Pen - service increase from two-hourly to hourly
West Hill - an hourly service is retained
Ottery St Mary - service increases from hourly to two per hour.
A new journey arriving in Exeter at 0850 will provide additional capacity.
There is also a later bus from Exeter at 2110.
Alfington - service increases from two-hourly to two per hour
Gittisham - service level reduced from six to four buses towards Exeter and from six to five from Exeter.
Heathpark - service increases from two-hourly to two per hour
Honiton - service increases from hourly to two per hour.
All journeys will pass the railway station. Journeys terminating at Honiton will operate a one-way loop via Rosemount Lane and Littletown Road into Honiton.
In the morning there are several additional buses to Ottery St Mary and Exeter.
There are also later buses from Exeter at 1740, 1801 and 2110.
Wilmington - service increases from two-hourly to hourly
Kilmington - service increases from two-hourly to hourly
Axminster - service increases from two-hourly to hourly
Millwey Rise - service increases from two-hourly to hourly
For more information visit the Stagecoach website.
