A mum of a John Kyrle High School pupil has set up an online petition following an announcement from Stagecoach that the 33 bus, from Ross-on-Wye to Gloucester, will be re-routed, leaving residents of Mayhill and Boxbush without public transport.

From September 3rd, the 33 bus will be diverted to run from the crossroads at Lea to Mitcheldean, and then rejoin the A40 at Huntley.

Another Lea resident, Anne Banner, has raised her concerns about the change in bus route, and has contacted the local MP, Jesse Norman, as the MP was appointed as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport in June 2017. Mrs Banner copied the Ross Gazette into an email she sent to Mr Norman.

She said, “Residents of Lea Residential Park who, by virtue of where they live, are over 50 – some with restricted mobility – will be forced to walk down a steep hill, along poorly maintained, unlit footpaths, to access the nearest bus stop, and then walk back up again. People living in Lea Lines will have to walk even further, along the busy A40 with no lighting and no footpaths.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach told the Ross Gazette, “We’re aware that our morning buses into Gloucester are well used by both commuters and students, and have planned our departures to offer a choice of travel times on either Service 24, 32 or 33.

“These new times should give extra time for anyone making a connection in Gloucester, whilst still providing a useful arrival for commuters starting work nearer 9am.”

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