Revised draft timetable for Service 216

Bus services serving Dorchester and surrounding area – route numbers 1-4, 7, 95, 103 and 347/387

Joint Statement issued by Damory Coaches and Dorset County Council
January 2012

Bus services serving Dorchester and surrounding area – route numbers 1-4, 7, 95, 103 and 347/387

Damory has given notice that it is no longer able to run the above bus services on a commercial basis. While the company is only required to formally give 2 months’ notice it has agreed to delay the termination of the services in their current form until after 14th April 2012.

In the intervening period Damory will cooperate with the County Council to review all the bus services in the Dorchester area with a view to jointly designing an alternative, viable network to continue to provide a service to the communities affected by the change.

Andrew Wickham, Managing Director of Damory Coaches said: “I am disappointed that we can no longer run these services on a commercial basis, which we have done without financial support since summer 2011. Unfortunately, the number of passengers is simply too low to cover the costs of running the services going forward. We are working closely with the county council to design a viable network for the area. We run a number of long-standing other services in Dorset, which will continue unchanged.”

Peter Finney, the County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Transportation said: “While it is disappointing that these routes cannot be made to pay it is vital that communities in and around Dorchester have an adequate bus service. I am very pleased that Damory has agreed to delay the date at which these services will cease to allow time for alternatives to be considered and procured. County Council transport experts will now work rapidly to develop options to try to prevent any serious break in service as well as providing depot space in Dorchester for operators’ buses.”

Questionnaire (word format)

Questionnaire (pdf format)

Mrs Jill Haynes (County Councillor for Three Valleys)

Cowyn

13 Bull Lane

Maiden Newton

Dorchester DT2 0BQ

Email: jill.haynes@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Tel: 01300 320057

Mr Peter Finney (Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation)

Holly Tree Cottage

Colehill Lane

Broomhill

Dorset BH21 7AR

Email: p.finney@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Tel: 01202 889714

Mr Angus Campbell (Leader of the Council)

Preston Hill Farm

Iwerne Minster

Blandford

Dorset DT11 8NL

Email: i.a.campbell@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Tel: 01747 811219

Draft timetable for the 216 service

If you have any feedback on this draft timetable please contact the Parish Clerk, Sarah Davies either via email at clerk@charminster.info or 01305 263342.  She will then collate the feedback and pass it on to Terry Spracklen.

It is possible that the 216 service will only stop near the T-Junction (Herrison Road and Sherren Avenue) and then turn around by the Village Hall.

on Monday 16th January at 7pm to discuss the following planning applications:

1/D/11/001872 - Land at junction with Deverel Road and Sherren Avenue (Pub Site) – erect 3 dwellings.  Plans will  be available to view at the meeting but if you wish to view them beforehand they can be viewed at www.dorsetforyou.com or alternatively contact the Parish Clerk on clerk@charminster.info or 01305 263342.

1/D/11/001963 – Lower Burton Farm, Lower Burton – rebuild timber framed barn destroyed by fire.

At 8pm there will be a meeting regarding the Number 7 Bus Service which will stop running on 18th February.  The purpose of the meeting will be to gather feedback from the public about the effect the stopping of the service will have on the residents of Charlton Down.  A member of Dorset County Council passenger services will be attending the meeting.  The issue will also be discussed at the Parish Council meeting being held on Tuesday 7th February at Charminster Village Hall.

We have been informed by Dorset County Council that Damory Coaches has decided to withdraw the Number 7 bus service with effect from 18^th February.  As this particular bus service is a commercial one that receives no funding from the County Council, Damory are within their rights to do this.

The County Council are aware that this is the only bus service that serves Charlton Down so it is looking in to some alternatives.  One possibility is that the Sherborne to Dorchester service (216) is re-routed to incorporate Charlton Down which would also mean Charlton Down benefits from a bus service to Sherborne.

Final routes and times have yet to be decided but as soon as these are confirmed we will let you know.

If you have any questions please contact the Clerk (Sarah Davies) on 01305 263342 or email clerk@charminster.info

 Alternatively please contact Dorset Passenger Services at Dorset County Council.

Christmas Rubbish and Kerbside Recycling Arrangements

WDDC are also collecting Christmas Trees from the kerbside for composting again this year.  Trees must be under six foot or cut into pieces and out by 7.30am on collection day.  They must be real trees, not artifical and free of all decorations.  To take advantage of this service please book online at www.dorsetforyou.com/christmastrees/west from 5th December or ring 01305 251010 from 3rd January giving a minimum of 48 hours notice before your recycling day.

Dates and Times of drop-in sessions

It is intended the play equipment will be positioned below the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).  The Parish Council is also looking into the possibility of levelling the existing small grass football pitch although separate planning permission would need to be gained for this.

THE PLANS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2011 AT CHARLTON DOWN VILLAGE HALL BETWEEN 6PM AND 8PM

You are welcome to drop in to the hall between the above times and give your feedback to Councillors about the plans and ask any questions you may have.

If you are unable to attend but would like to see the plans please contact the Parish Clerk on 01305 263342 or clerk@charminster.info