The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Great News for Neston Bus Passengers as Avon Extends 22 Route

Neston residents needing to visit Arrowe Park Hospital can look forward to an easier journey from this month.

Avon Buses have announced that from September 5th 2016, the 22 route will be extended, running from Chester to Moreton, via Willaston, Neston, Parkgate, Heswall, Pensby, Arrowe Park and Hoylake. Buses will run from Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays. The service is operated wholly on a commercial basis by Avon.

The news will be welcomed by local passengers, long frustrated at the difficulties in reaching parts of the Wirral from the Neston area by bus.

Cllr Mike Shipman, Mayor of Neston, said: "This is excellent news for those in Neston who rely on public transport. Various working groups of Neston Town Council have been pressing for such a service ever since the 272 was discontinued.

"I certainly recognise the responsive nature of the Avon Bus management. This is a commercial service and the risks are taken by Avon. I suppose it's the usual 'use it or lose it' scenario. But thanks Avon!"

Cllr Andy Williams, ward member for Neston on Cheshire West and Chester Council, added: "The council has been working very hard to improve local transport with an ever decreasing budget and Avon's decision to change its route to include Arrowe Park is very welcome.

"We must ensure we use the service to keep it viable into the future."

You can download a copy of the timetable here.

Hard copies are also available to pick up from the Town Council's office in Neston Town Hall.

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Comments

Susan C

At 13:24 on 3rd September 2016, Susan C commented:

Yes, agreed , and I look forward to seeing Andy on the bus, though unfortunately it does not run after 6.30pm, so probably no use for returning from CWaC meetings!
But seriously I would like to open a dialogue on the sense of the 22 going round Willaston for the very few passengers that use it from there- and I know it's very few because I use the 22 frequently. It was a much more attractive service to Neston passengers when, after the interminable drag round Little Neston, it finally got onto the main road and shot along to Chester. I seriously suspect that some people are now put off using the route if they have other options because of the extra journey time.
I wonder if Avon can provide us with passenger numbers for Willaston, which does have other options of travel includng a nice walk to Hooton station. Perhaps just schooltime buses via Willaston?

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CO Jones

At 15:28 on 3rd September 2016, CO Jones commented:

I agree Susan.

The couple of times I have got the bus from Neston to Chester, the deviations are quite something. How log does the journey take in ots current guise?

The last few times I have taken public transport to Chester from Neston, I have took to using the train via Shotton. There is a 30 odd minute wait at Shotton for the connection but a Wetherspoons quick pint is preferable to trawling round the greater Wirral conurbations.

Fully understand the need for the company requirement to carry enough passengers to make the service viable but circuitous bus routes are the Bete Noire of public transport

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Rob Ward

At 18:51 on 19th December 2016, Rob Ward commented:

I've used bus 22 several times recently to visit a friend in Arrowe Park hospital, and it's been good - not adding to air pollution, no search for parking spaces (the number of cars there!) The bus gets to the hospital at quarter to the hour, and leaves at three minutes past, so time for an hour visiting. And you enjoy the view from Parkgate!

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CO Jones

At 20:32 on 19th December 2016, CO Jones commented:

I know this is not a bus specific post but its Neston and transport related.

Taking a trip to Shrewsbury in the morning for a few ales and some Christmas shopping. Its 90 minutes on the train from Neston with a change at Wrexham. I would struggle to drive it and get parked up in that amount of time.

It sometimes takes me that to get to Central Liverpool via Bidston...

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