The Whitchurch 59 Bus

The No.59 BUS 

An article produced for the Town Council (or anyone else)

As well as the Stagecoach bus services to Andover, Winchester and Basingstoke, Whitchurch has its own local bus service that currently runs three mornings a week – something it seems that many might not know (funded by Basingstoke Council with some support from Whitchurch)

Around the town

The No.59, which operates on a Hail & Ride basis as well as using the bus stops, traces a route around the town that includes London Road, Lynch Hill Park, Berehill, the Railway Station, Evingar Road, and Wells Lane/Church Street. It serves the Surgery and has stops outside the Co-op and Tescos. It also links Overton and Laverstoke into Whitchurch and visits Litchfield on demand.

Anyone can catch it for a small fixed fare and Bus Passes are valid too.

Flexible uses

The service provides a wide range of opportunities ranging from a shopping trip to a pop into town to meet friends for a coffee; and makes the surgery, the dentists, the chemist, the post office and other businesses all accessible. On a very practical level it is a tough walk up to the Knowlings, Fairfields or Lynch Hill with bags of shopping if other transport is not available – this bus makes it easy.

Social support

But perhaps its main value is the social support it provides to the less able or the more isolated members of the Whitchurch community. The benefits of preventing loneliness and of helping people to remain independent cannot be overstated, and the friendly drivers are always willing to help when assistance is required.

Costs

As with all services the value and cost are always being assessed and with the contract due for renewal next Spring the importance to the town needs to be shown to be beneficial. It is currently run by Basingstoke Community Transport with finance from Basingstoke & Deane and some support from Whitchurch Town Council.

With budgets now being formulated for next year, the question for local Whitchurch Town Councillors is should a local financial contribution continue.

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Cllr John Buckley
Passenger and Sustainable Transport Representative
Whitchurch Town Council

The Cycle Racks have gone

Whitchurch Town Council (Hampshire) decided to remove the new cycle racks in the Town Centre, following representations from some local businesses and residents. Today, November 11th, workmen took them away. The Council is now to decide on new locations.

Whilst as a Councillor I have to accept and respect the decision, it does not mean I have to agree with it. 

In the very week that we are all being advised by the Government to walk or cycle as part of the second Covid lockdown, this cycle parking was removed. Various reasons were given ranging from not being used, to being an obstruction and even that they restricted use of the pavements for trade vehicles.

However, support for cycling in shopping areas is known to improve their vitality and economic viability.  When lockdown is over, help for local traders will be essential to help them survive, with recovery likely to take several years for many. Those locations that think smarter are likely to be the ones that prosper most.

Sometimes poor decisions are made. In my opinion this one was short-sighted.

The racks before removal.

Some claimed they were never used.

Now the racks have gone and all is quiet.

Here is something to consider when looking at the above:

These are entirely my own views – and not those of Whitchurch Town Council

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