Bus service from Stamford to Peterborough restored and the 182 town service by Bland’s improved

Residents who campaigned to bring back a bus route are celebrating being able to travel into Stamford.

Julia Cunnington from Wittering, Sue Magill from Ailsworth and Gavin Elsey, councillor for Wittering and Wansford ward on Peterborough City Council, were among those keen to see the Stamford to Peterborough service return after a four-year gap.

Stagecoach has been appointed to operate the Route 27 service, which stops in Wittering, Wansford, Ailsworth, Castor and Longthorpe and the Queensgate bus station in central Peterborough.

Julia, a parish councillor in Wittering, said: “People can feel isolated here without a bus service and the route’s return means people are able to go into Stamford more easily for shopping, and for things to do.

“Our village doesn’t have a GP surgery and many residents are enrolled at the Wansford Surgery - this has been the biggest argument in our campaign.”

Sue added that young people who attend Stamford College, or who want to go into town to socialise, no longer have to rely on lifts to get there and back, and so have greater independence.

Under 25s also receive cut-price travel by applying for a ‘Tiger’ bus pass, which reduces fares to £1.

Having formed a campaign group two years ago, residents took the mayor of Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson on a tour of the areas affected, and described the impact of the loss of the bus service, including £25 taxi fares to get to medical appointments.

Announcing the return of the route, Dr Johnson said: “I know how important good quality public transport is for so many of our residents, which is why we at the combined authority have been working hard to find a way to get this bus route working again.”

Call Connect can still be used in the villages by people who would struggle to use the regular bus service.

The 182 Stamford Town Service is now operating hourly services, six days a week. It was two buses, three days a week.

Alison Monamy, bus service manager at Bland’s said: “The development of the new, more comprehensive 182 service has been a very positive experience.

“The team here at Bland’s is looking forward to meeting more of the Stamford town residents.”

Off-peak travel on the 182, between 9am and 2.30pm, has been reduced to £2 for a single, £3.40 for a return.