Ex-mayor 'ecstatic' as 'beeping bus' route changes

The Brylaine B1 service will no longer run through a pedestrianised area of Boston

A former Lincolnshire mayor said he is "ecstatic" that a town centre bus route has been changed.

The B1 service ran through the pedestrianised shopping area on Strait Bargate in Boston.

It will now start and end at the town's bus station.

Ex-mayor of Boston Brian Rush claimed the bus "harassed" people and affected tourism.

'Disruptive' route

Mr Rush said the service should never have been introduced.

"People who did come were constantly being harassed by the beeping of a bus every 20 minutes or so," he said.

"So in fact when you think about it, that's very disruptive to someone coming to Boston to enjoy the ambiance of the town."

Marrianne Garbutt, director of Brylaine buses, said the change was designed to help the town council with the £22m redevelopment of the town centre.

"We want nothing more than to see the town centre regenerate through events, expanded and specialist markets and a vibrant environment of street cafes, restaurants, entertainers, music and art, and quality, independent shops," she said.

"We hope that this change will help in some way to make that possible."

The redirected route will use bay 1 and 2 of the bus station and also stop outside Boots near the Market Place.

Strait Bargate in Boston is to be redeveloped as part of a £22m project

Anne Dorrian, the leader of Boston Borough Council, said she was "delighted" the bus company had "supported our ambitions for the town".

"Making this area properly pedestrianised is a key initiative in our plans for the town centre, and opens the door to a variety of new opportunities, such as allowing more street, market and shopfront activities," she added.

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