Welcome News for Our Bus Service
Following the withdrawal of bus subsidies by Oxfordshire County Council, representatives of the local villages have joined together to form the Downland Villages Transport Group to work with the bus companies to retain as much service as possible. We are pleased to announce that Thames Travel will continue a Monday to Friday service on the 94 route and that there will be a twice daily service also serving the Astons and the Mortons, made possible by the transfer of the school run to the scheduled bus. There will be some increase in fares and the bus service will operate on a trial basis for one year starting on 24th July.
Thames travel has released the new 94/94A timetable, please click on this link Bus Timetable
The 94 will serve the Hagbournes, Blewbury and Upton and will run roughly hourly from early morning until the evening from Monday to Friday. During term time a 94A service will run once in the morning and once in the afternoon; in addition to serving the 94 villages. It will also serve the Astons and the Mortons. The longer term future depends on the economic viability of the service, so more users are needed!
The Downland Villages Transport Group is grateful to everyone who has provided input on bus services over the past few months and for the support of our County Councillors. You’ve said clearly that keeping bus services is important for the life of our villages. Your input has helped us to argue for our transport needs and to begin to work out some new options where services have been cut, while the new timetable will not be perfect for everyone. Thames Travel have listened to our suggestions and responded where they can. It is a trial- we need to ensure adequate use, as it’s fairly close –cut thing for them on a commercial basis.
*A key factor that made Thames Travel feel it was “worth giving it a go” on the 94/94A was that “you (our villages) were really passionate about keeping the service”
* The key financial replacements for the lost subsidies were, as we knew, school funding and some development funding.
A real effort has been made to try and serve our commuters. If it fits in with your schedule please give it a try.
As and when more information becomes available, we’ll keep you informed.
Jesse West
Octabus
Are you aware that our District Council in conjunction with other Councils provides door-to-door transport for disabled and mobility-impaired residents? If you require more information about the service ask the District Council to send you a leaflet.
If you have been using the service please could you let us know your opinion on its usefulness and efficiency so that we may comment in support of continuing the service.
Bus Service
Our bus service is to be retained.
Lower speed limits
A series of lower speed limits are to be introduced on Oxfordshire roads in a bid to cut down on the number of accidents.
Oxfordshire County Council has approved the new 50mph limits following research showing that similar speed limit reductions have delivered a 30 per cent reduction in accidents. Along with two other roads in the county, a new 50 mph speed limit will be introduced on the B4017 from Abingdon to Drayton.
In addition, a new 40 mph speed limit will be introduced on the A417 between East and West Hendred on a trial basis.
Bus Service Review
During November and December, Oxfordshire County Council will be carrying out a review of the bus service (Abingdon Bus Company No. 94) which operates through Upton.
Work on Shillingford Bridge
A project aimed at maintaining the life of the 200 year old listed bridge that carries the Shillingford to Wallingford road across the River Thames will be starting soon.
Oxfordshire County Council will embark on the Shillingford Bridge project on March 5. In this first stage of work a set of traffic lights will be installed which will allow the traffic lane across the bridge to be reduced to just one central lane, initially marked by white lining.The project will last for around five weeks and for most of this period the bridge will remain open to traffic with temporary traffic signals in operation.
However for around five days from March 26 a full closure of the bridge will be required. A signed diversion route via the A4074, A4130 and Winterbrook Bridge will be put into operation.
The Council will revisit the bridge in the Autumn to conduct waterproofing work and to construct footways across the bridge on each side of the road. In 2008 a third stage of work is also planned, involving extensive stone work repairs to various areas of the bridge.
A34 Roadworks – Update
Updated 2nd March
The Highways Agency are undertaking essential road maintenance works on the A34, between the West Ilsley Interchange and the A417 over bridge near Harwell. The preliminary works for the scheme began on 10th January 2007.
A34 Chilton Roadworks Commence
The preliminary works for the A34 Chilton maintenance scheme began on 10th January 2007.
From 15th January 2007, there will only be one lane open in each direction through the extent of the works.
From this date, the northbound West Ilsley on slip and northbound Chilton off slip will also be closed for four weeks, weather permitting.
Details as to when the contra flow will be installed to follow. For full details, and for information and maps regarding diversions, please see the project Home Page.
A34 Roadworks
The Highways Agency will be undertaking essential road maintenance works on the A34, between the West Ilsley Interchange and the A417 overbridge near Harwell. The works are due to start in January 2007 and are programmed to finish in March 2007, weather permitting.