Support is expressed for new bus service

By Mariam Ghaemi Friday, February 3, 2012
12:00 PM

THE DETAILS of a new bus service for a large estate have been revealed.

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There were fears Moreton Hall, on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds, would be left with minimal public transport when the FirstGroup bus operator pulls out of the town completely from March 31.

But Mulleys bus company said it had been planning on introducing a service to cover the estate for some time.

The East Anglian Daily Times now has details of the service. It is called the M33 and will take effect from March 19, along with a number of new or amended routes for the town. It will be covering more of Moreton Hall than First’s 85 service.

Jayne Munson, director of Mulleys bus company, said she thought the route would work for everybody. “Basically we have to do what works and what’s sustainable. That’s how we have put the route together. We have tried to incorporate all the needs of people.”

She added: “We have done it so everybody can get to the health centre, not everybody could before, and everybody can get into town and picking up at Sainsbury’s has got to be on the right side of the road.”

Moreton Hall councillor Trevor Beckwith said the feedback he was getting from residents was that they were happy with the route.

He said: “To be fair to Mulleys we were on the verge of having nothing. Thanks to Mulleys we have got something.

“General feedback I’m getting at the moment is it’s widely accepted. In fact, people are delighted with the proposal.”

Moreton Hall councillor Frank Warby said it was “great news” for the estate.

The only other bus service operating on the estate is Galloways’ 384/385 service, but this just skirts around the edge.

Another entirely new service for the town from March 19 is Mulleys’ M11/M22, which incorporates Southgate Street and West Suffolk Hospital in Hardwick Lane.

And Mulleys is also planning to change the existing M44 service to incorporate Tollgate Lane to cater for residents of Beetons Lodge sheltered housing scheme under the banner of the M44/M55.

Guy McGregor, cabinet member for roads and transport at Suffolk County Council, said there was now a secure, sustainable network of services for residents, also taking into account the ‘Breeze’ services provided by Stephensons of Essex. “I would urge Bury residents to support and use these services to help ensure their continued success,” he said.