David Tredinnick has welcomed a bus company’s positive response to the needs of local communities after it fulfilled its promise to review the decision to withdraw the 153 service from the the villages of Nailstone, Carlton and Barton in the Beans.

On 30th May David Tredinnick chaired a packed meeting of over 50 residents at Battram Access Centre in an effort to persuade Arriva to reinstate the 153 bus service to the three rural villages.

The Bosworth MP had previously raised significant concerns in respect of the impact on numerous local residents due to the loss of the 153 bus to these small village communities and, working with local County Councillor Ivan Ould, had called for a reintroduction of the service. 

During the meeting Arriva’s Business Development Director, Simon Mathieson, promised to look at various suggested options and the company is now changing the 153 service from 27 August as follows:

• Reinstate a limited services to the villages of Nailstone, Carlton, and Barton in the Beans
• Provide arrivals into both Leicester and Market Bosworth for approx 0830 giving improved access to employment
• Provide equivalent return departures from both Leicester and Market Bosworth at approx 1730
• Provide an approximately 2-hourly frequency throughout the day, Monday to Saturday

In order to accommodate these changes certain journeys will now start / finish at Market Bosworth Square and will no longer extend to Bosworth Water Park.

David Tredinnick said, “The loss of the 153 bus has impacted upon pensioners and school pupils and college students in particular in these villages, as well as an array of other residents who valued the opportunity to use the service. For some people in Nailstone, Carlton and Barton in the Beans this bus service really represents a lifeline.

“So I very much welcome Arriva’s flexible and considerate approach towards finding a solution to this issue, which I know will be greatly appreciated by the many local residents who contacted me about this important issue.”