New bus route set to improve transport options

Councillor Ian Nellins says he wants to transform the current bus offer in Shropshire

Bus travel will become a "more realistic option" for Much Wenlock commuters when a new route launches next month, according to Shropshire Council.

The new 437 service connecting Shrewsbury with Much Wenlock will provide additional capacity to the existing 436 route between Bridgnorth and the county town.

It will mean services from Wenlock become roughly half-hourly during peak times.

Council transport portfolio holder Ian Nellins said he hoped a scheme of linked service improvements would transform services for passengers in Shropshire.

"I’m delighted that we’ll soon be introducing this new service between Much Wenlock and Shrewsbury to make the bus a more realistic option for residents, students and visitors, and I know this will be welcomed by many people," he said.

"We want to transform the current bus offer in the county, creating the opportunity for [the] bus to become the first choice of travel for people."

The new service will officially launch on Tuesday 3 September and will be operated by Tanat Valley Coaches.

A number of other schemes are set to get under way in late 2024, including improvements to park and ride services in Shrewsbury and Ludlow, alongside the introduction of a new town route in Oswestry.

The council's on-demand bus journey booking service is also due to expand to a route in the east of the town to take in the new Weir Hill housing development and Shrewsbury Business Park.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.