A new H1 bus service will operate from Old Marston-Marston shops-Headley Way- Franklin Road-White Horse-London Road-Headington shops on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 June. Times will be 11.05 at Franklin Rd to Headington and 12.30 return from Headington. Yes! Not only will it run directly TO Headington Shops, it will RETURN via the same route!

You may remember that David and I have been lobbying hard for this for some time, ever since the bus companies re-routed their services away from the London Road end of Headley Way. Elderly folk were left without a direct service to the shops and it’s been a real problem for them.

We gave our comments at the consultation held at North East Area Committee, and have been exchanging emails on this issue with county officers and county councillors. This is a great example of successful collective lobbying by residents, ward councillors and Oxford Bus User Group.  The County’s Assistant Public Transport Officer in the Integrated Transport Unit has worked hard on this and deserves our thanks for identifying this possible extension to the Old Marston route and recommending this to the Cabinet Member for Transport

The new route will be run by a low floor wheelchair accessible bus and will be free to all users. Our elderly residents in the Franklin Rd/Fortnam Close area will be able to access the Farmers’ Market as the new service is available on Fridays. If you know anyone who would make use of this new service, please tell them about it – I have dropped off timetables to every house in Franklin Rd, Fortnam Close, top end Headley Way, Woodlands Rd and Woodlands Close. I’ll make sure timetables are available in the Library too.

PS..before anyone tells me, yes I know that Southern Gas are about to dig up Franklin Road for 18 weeks commencing from a date between 18 and 26 May….watch this space!