More bus news, and this time it's good!

Ironically, after yesterday's news of the review of local bus links, news reaches me of an improved community bus service. Here is the information, with some 'frequently asked questions'...

Suffolk Links Gipping North is a new facility, replacing the TaxiBus and serving the area around Rattlesden, Harleston, the Creetings, Stonham Aspal, Mendlesham and Wetheringsett. No other bus services in the area are being changed as a result of the introduction of Suffolk Links Gipping North and it will provide connections with the following bus services, or help you to complete your journey when no buses are available, just ask the operator when you call 01449 616 000.

Other buses are:

113: Every two hours between Diss - Mendlesham - Ipswich
114: Every two hours between Diss - Debenham - Ipswich
87: Every hour between Stowupland - Stowmarket - Needham Market - Ipswich
88: Every hour between Stowmarket - Needham Market - Ipswich
384: Every hour between Stowmarket - Elmswell - Bury St Edmunds

In addition, trains run from Stowmarket to Ipswich, London, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Norwich (all hourly) and Peterborough (every two hours)

Where and when can I travel?

Suffolk Links Gipping North operates from 0700 to 1900, Mondays to Saturdays. The bus will take you to Stowmarket, Needham Market or any of the villages within the Gipping North service area. Connections can be made for onwards travel to places further afield such as Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds or Diss.

How do I book a journey?

• Simply call 01449 616 000 up to a week before you wish to travel and book your journey.
• The booking service is open from 0800 to 1300, Monday to Friday, making it easier for you to plan ahead.

Who runs the service?

Suffolk Links Gipping North is operated by Optua.

Is it goodnight for the 453?

We don't get many buses in Creeting St Peter, as demonstrated by our bus stop, or lack thereof (and that's a funny story in itself). The news that we might, and I emphasise might, be at risk of losing our market day bus, is an unwelcome reminder of the precarious nature of our public transport links.

It has been announced by Guy Macgregor, Executive Member for Transport on Suffolk County Council, has announced a review of bus routes currently in receipt of financial support. Given that both our scheduled bus route and our community bus fall into that category, we have good cause for apprehension.

I'm an occasional user of the community bus, although I understand that rider figures are a bit low. I've never seen a 453, and as it runs when I'm at work, I'm not likely to see one either. However, there will be those in the village who use them, and it would be nice to hear from anyone who does.

I suspect that the Parish Council will be discussing this at our next meeting, and I for one will be asking our County Councillor for his thoughts...

Suffolk County Council consults on care homes

As part of the County Council's plans to cut spending by £330 million, it has been announced that they plan to close a number of residential care homes, and sell the remainder to the private sector.

Such proposals are always controversial, and the risks that moving elderly residents to new locations raise are always emotive. However, if you do have a relative in one of the six proposed for closure (and Wade House in Stowmarket is one of those), you will undoubtedly want to find out more.

There is a consultation process, and anyone who wants more information should click on this link. The consultation will include meetings at the affected locations, and an internet survey, and a downloadable version of the full proposals is available.