All on board a new bus service at Wellington Heath

Villagers in Wellington Health are hopping on board a newly-introduced bus service which they have fought for with the help of Herefordshire Council.

Locals in the village, situated near Ledbury, rallied round and contacted the council when they wanted a replacement for a poorly-used service which picked up in the village just twice a week.

“It’s great news,” said Patrick Adams, chairman of Wellington Heath parish council.

“We’ve now got a much-improved two-hourly service running six days a week which began on Saturday, June 27,” added Patrick.

And there’s even more good news for villagers as the bus service, provided by Malvernian Coaches, has agreed to divert one service per day to collect from the Farmers Arms pub in the village, which will enable older people and those with mobility problems to catch the bus without having to negotiate a difficult climb up a steep hill to catch the bus on its regular route.

Herefordshire Council is working with its contractor, Amey, to install six bus stops around the village at locations chosen by residents.

“For many of our rural villages, a regular bus service to and from the village is a lifeline,” said Herefordshire Council’s public transport officer Paul Williamson.

“We’re delighted that Malvernian Coaches has come on board with the scheme and we hope villagers make best use of the new service which gives them quick and easy access into Ledbury and other parts of the county,” added Paul.