Stagecoach revision of Haverhill bus service welcomed by councillor

Stagecoach has taken on board concerns raised by residents of a Haverhill estate and reduced the number of buses it sends down their streets.

Five weeks ago residents in Ann Suckling Road and Falklands Road approached their Suffolk county councillor, Joe Mason, to voice concerns about a timetable change that resulted in the number 13 Haverhill to Cambridge bus being routed along their roads.

Residents felt they had received no information about the hail service and that buses often looked empty, explained Cllr Mason.

He also had a ‘significant number’ of residents asking that the bus service be continued as, for example, it served people who could not easily get to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Stagecoach has now agreed to alter the timetable, changes approved by the Traffic Commissioner.

Cllr Mason said: “The overwhelming opinion was that the 5am buses were unnecessary and I welcome Stagecoach withdrawing these so that no bus enters the Boyton Hall estate before 6am.

“Residents had also complained about the three buses per hour service, with two buses arriving on the hour.

“This is now much reduced in the new timetable.

“This new timetable, while not everything residents hoped for is a marked improvement reducing the service to an hourly service off peak and a half hourly service at peak time.”

Concerns remain about the high frequency of buses between 6am and 7am, when they arrive every 15 minutes, he added.

“Overall, I am keen to support bus services and promote the use of public transport, but we must have a service that meet the needs of our communities,” added Cllr Mason.

“I have asked the town council to invite Stagecoach to present their plan for Haverhill, and I am keen that a consultation takes place where all residents can have a say in the sort of bus service they would want to use and support across the town.

“I would like to thank Stagecoach for listening to concerns raised by residents. I appreciate their willingness to modify their service to something more appropriate for Boyton Hall.”

The changes come into effect on July 23 and anyone with concerns is invited to email Cllr Mason at joe.mason@suffolk.gov.uk