New stops to be added in bus service revamp

New stops at railway stations and tourist attractions are being introduced as part of a revamped bus service launching across Leicestershire.

The county council said the changes would connect new developments in Loughborough, Hinckley, Bosworth and parts of north west Leicestershire with other towns and villages, and destinations including Twycross Zoo and 1620s House.

The changes will take effect on 14 July, when a month's free travel will start on a new bookable bus called FoxConnect.

Leicestershire County Council said the changes followed a review of services partly funded by the government.

Councillor Charles Whitford, cabinet member for highways, transport and waste, said: "The new routes are developed with residents in mind.

"Importantly, they're designed to reduce journey times, link rail stations and newer housing developments and unlock better links to towns and villages across the county."

The changes include:

• Service 2 from Kinchbus will run hourly with a re-route in Loughborough to cover part of the previous route 13, providing access to Great Central Railway.
• Kinchbus's Service 5 will be re-routed to serve the Haddon Way/Grange Park estate and improve access to Loughborough's town centre, replacing the temporary Service 5a.
• In north west Leicestershire, Hinckley and Bosworth, the former Service 7, now called LC12 will offer a fixed bus service during key commuter times to serve Witherley, Fenny Drayton, Atherstone, Ratcliffe Culey, Sibson, Carlton, Market Bosworth, Newton Burgoland and Measham.
• FoxConnect zones eight, nine and 11 will be introduced by LA Travel to serve the north west Leicestershire, Hinckley and Bosworth areas.
• LC15, formerly Service 125, which runs from Coalville to Leicester has been re-designed to provide a "direct service with reduced journey times", the council said.

The county council has organised drop-in events for residents to find out about the changes in person.

The next event is at Coalville Library on Monday from 11:00 to 13:00 BST, before one is held at Hinckley Library on Friday between 11:00 and 13:00.

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