Residents in Stanground who have been affected by a bridge closure can now benefit from an extended bus service in the area.
The council has successfully negotiated with Stanground Academy and Central Connect buses to extend the company's 26A service. Starting from tomorrow (Tuesday 4 August), the service will pick up and drop off passengers at a temporary stop located opposite Stanground Academy in Peterborough Road.
As a result, the service will travel further into Stanground, reaching residents affected by the closure of the bridge in Peterborough Road between Stanground and Farcet, which is closed for five weeks to replace the existing bridge expansion joints.
The extended Central Connect 26A bus service will stop outside Stanground Academy at the following times:
7.43am, 8.46am, 9.48am, 10.48am, 11.48am, 12.48am, 1.48pm, 2.48pm, 3.55pm and 5pm
As well as this service extension, Stanground residents can use alternative bus stops located near Morrisons plus ones in Oakdale Avenue and in Whittlesey Road.
A Community Link door-to-door service also operates in the area and can take people to certain shopping centres if they are unable to get to a bus stop. To become a Community Link member, residents need to have a concessionary bus pass. The council will also waive the membership for anyone that needs to join whilst the works are ongoing.
Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "This extended service shows we take concerns from residents seriously, listen to what they are telling us and take appropriate action to make a positive difference.
"I would like to thank our officers, Stanground Academy and Central Connect for extending this service into Stanground and hope it benefits many people there. The works are scheduled for five more weeks and we have tried to minimise disruption by carrying it out during the school summer holidays."
Farcet residents are reminded that existing bus stops are located in the centre of the village and residents can use a separate dial-a-ride scheme. Find out more about this service by visiting https://fact-cambs.co.uk/Dial-a-Ride-Fenland.html or by emailing Info@Cotransport.org or phoning 01354 661234 and it runs the following door-to-door services:
- Tuesday depts 9.30 to Tesco in Huntingdon, returns 1.30
- Wednesday 9.30 to Huntingdon Town Centre, returns 1.30
Farcet also has a community car scheme that operates a door-to-door service. There is a charge and for enquiries call 07795 542084
The bridge is now fully closed to pedestrians for the remainder of the works.
For anyone that is unable to use any of the services above then please get in touch with Peterborough City Council by emailing buses@peterborough.gov.uk or call 01733 747474 and we will try and help you.
For more information about the bridge works visit the council's website.