Services cutback (From Gazette Series)

Services cutback

I do not think I am alone in being shocked by Stagecoach deciding to withdraw the hourly 20 service from Uley.

Mr Manning, General Manager, seems to take the view that because it was a long route leading to delays from roadworks etc the answer is to cut out Uley as the starting point and ending point on the route. Doesn't it occur to him that perhaps a service with delays is better than no service at all! This leaves Uley residents with no regular service to Stroud, cutting off the village from onward links to the railway station and the hourly bus to Cheltenham. From April there will be no service at all on Saturdays. This means that anyone who does not drive will not be able to get to the shops in Stroud or enjoy the new cinema and bowling alley. This will particularly affect young people and old people. From April there will be a skeletal 20 service only on weekdays from Uley to Stroud via Dursley at 07.23, 09.10, 16.20 and 18.10 arriving in Stroud around an hour later. The 20 from Stroud will leave at 06.45 arriving at Uley at 07.20, 08.20 arriving 09.07 , 15.30 -too early to be useful for schoolchildren!- arriving 16.17,and 17.20 arriving 18.07. This leaves a huge gap from early morning to mid afternoon.

I do not understand why Stagecoach have decided to pick on Uley. Other much smaller villages continue to enjoy better public transport than we do. I think Stagecoach should have the decency to come and explain their decision to us and in particular why we are being completely left out of the 20 which will continue to run between Dursley and Stroud on Saturdays. I think they should reconsider their decision and ask their customers what their needs are eg a service from Dursley via Uley to Stroud would be much more direct and could attract more passengers.

Janet Wood our District Councillor has fought to at least have a shopping service to Dursley so the County Council will be supporting a 284 service which goes via Dursley to Cam Tesco on Monday and Wednesday 10.25, 13.10, and 14.00 returning at 09.45, 12.30 and 13.30. On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday there will be a new 285 service leaving Uley at 10.36 and 12.06 to Dursley returning from May Lane at 10.30 and 12.00 direct to Uley . This is useful for shopping but does not meet the needs of people wanting to use the swimming pool or tennis courts in the afternoon.

Janet would welcome comments from interested bus users and has put a book for comments in the village shop, Uley or contact her on 01453 860 236.

Mary Shearer Bencombe Gables Uley Glos GL11 5BT