County councillor Sue Whittaker beside the Mansfield Lane junction at Lakenham Cock. Photo: Bill Smith
Lakenham passengers criticise First over change to bus route
David Freezer
Monday, February 6, 2012
6:30 AM
Bosses at First buses have been criticised by passengers on another Norwich bus service for changes to its route.
County councillor Sue Whittaker beside the Mansfield Lane junction at Lakenham Cock. Photo: Bill SmithA raft of changes brought in by the bus company have attracted controversy already, including the 21/22 service no longer serving the UEA and changes to the routes of the 17/17a Tuckswood and 10/10a Spixworth services. Now bus users in Lakenham who use the 9/9a service have joined the calls for the route changes to be reversed.
The change means the route no longer serves Barrett Road and a long stretch of Mansfield Lane, instead going down Long John Hill, turning right at The Cock Inn onto the lower part of Mansfield Lane and then left onto Sandy Lane.
Daphne Mundford, 78, has lived on Barrett Road for 48 years and says she now has to use taxis as her nearest bus stop is too far away.
She said: “I’ve now got to walk right to the top of Cavell Road or right down to the Lakenham Cock pub to get to my nearest bus stop.
“It’s mostly old people round here. I’ll have lived in my house for 49 years come June and we’ve always had a bus stop on Mansfield Lane.”
Mrs Mundford also said she believed where the bus now turned right at The Cock was “going to cause an accident” because of a blind corner.
County councillor for Lakenham, Sue Whitaker, agrees with Mrs Mundford and also feels the route change has not been thought through properly.
She said: “I really do think it’s dangerous. I have spoken with First and they have agreed to look at it again but realistically it won’t be before July.”
The Evening News has also been contacted about the changes to the 9/9a service by Valerie Allcock, who also lives on Barrett Road and has complained to First, and Tony Herbert, whose 85-year-old mother lives on Harwood Road.
Norwich South MP Simon Wright recently spoke with First bosses to discuss the complaints from bus users since the changes were brought in on Sunday, January 15.
He was told that the situation would be reviewed in six months and that the changes had been brought in amongst rising costs, such as fuel and insurance.
What do you think? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE.
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13 comments
the bus pass system also clogs up the bus, when I used to work and catch the bus on a wednesday from the city at 5pm it was always full of pensioners who had been to the half price matinee at the Theatre so that although I had done a days work I could'nt get a seat while pensioners not only grabbed the seats but did'nt pay, they also left their werthers originals on the seats
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blister
Thursday, February 9, 2012
the whole bus pass system should be stopped and just introduce a lower fare for all, retired people should get more exercise for their good heath, most of the time bus pass holders just sit on the bus for something to do
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blister
Thursday, February 9, 2012
It's a commercial decision taken in the free deregulated market. Buses are not a social service. Surely we don't want to return to the bad old days when buses were accountable to the Transport Minister now, do we?
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marty r
Monday, February 6, 2012
I wish people would get their facts straight before making sweeping statements about the elderly and bus travel. One of the ladies interviewed is disabled, and walks to the bus stop close to her house using sticks. It now takes her 20 minutes in considerable discomfort to walk to the nearest stop on Cavell Road. She's not ASKING for door to door transport, or free travel, she often uses the buses before the discount period anyway. She, and a lot more elderly folk just need a public transport route they can access easily, to link to other buses in the city centre for hospital appointments etc. Surely that's not too much to ask?
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Carol Bolton
Monday, February 6, 2012
Hello - the hypocrites are at it again - I won't mention names (otherwise this will be taken down.) Just read two peoples comments, and draw your own conclusions! All I can say is don't grow old!
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biglingers
Monday, February 6, 2012
This bus route is now very convenient for residents on the new route. That said why not alternate the trips - it would mean longer between buses on this particular section of 99a service but passengers could walk to the alternative option if necessary. Regarding the danger at the Cock Public House junction, since the mini roundabout was put in place there is a danger here for all traffic - why not traffic lights? OLHD Resident OLH
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Mavis Metcalf
Monday, February 6, 2012
also to add, I'm not sure some people would agree but if they want to review the number 9 route I think that they should take out cavell road as the road terrain doesn't do no good for the buses. and they put a new stop at the top of Cavell road on Mansfield lane, also they have stopped doing the large buses as they cant get round so mothers with prams have these issues to content with as well.
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Lee Mills
Monday, February 6, 2012
also to add, I'm not sure some people would agree but if they want to review the number 9 route I think that they should take out cavell road as the road terrain doesn't do no good for the buses. and they put a new stop at the top of Cavell road on Mansfield lane, also they have stopped doing the large buses as they cant get round so mothers with prams have these issues to content with as well.
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Lee Mills
Monday, February 6, 2012
i have rang up about the number 9 and i mentions that the laminate that they left had spelt a road name wrong - also i told them that the fact that when march comes along the car boot will make the bottom of long John hill chocker and the buses can only go in the middle of the road for the bridge. its all to do with someone called Roy i think he need to re look at this route.
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Lee Mills
Monday, February 6, 2012
i do not think pensioners free passes is economically viable.
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bookworm
Monday, February 6, 2012
why should pensioners get a free taxi ride all day every day? the day will come when the free bus passes are stopped.i have the champagne on ice. low paid workers have to pay up to subsidise OAPS.
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bookworm
Monday, February 6, 2012
thanks and a big "Whatever "to last poster.
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bookworm
Monday, February 6, 2012
i once had to walk half a mile to a bus stop.First had changed the number of stops on the route. have they ever reversed a decision?
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bookworm
Monday, February 6, 2012