Riverway Industrial Estate is to lose its Route 39 bus service under approved changes which will see both the 38 and 39 now serve a much wider area of Pan.
The Isle of Wight Council has given the green light to a major shake-up of Newport’s local bus network, backed by almost £1 million of developer contributions.
The changes to Southern Vectis services 38 and 39 are expected to be introduced from October and will be supported by government funding until the end of September 2031, whilst Southern Vectis hope passenger numbers will increase and ultimately make the enhanced services commercially sustainable.
One of the most significant changes will see Route 39 no longer serve Riverway Industrial Estate, despite concerns being raised about the loss of public transport access to the area.
Instead, the 39 will operate as a clockwise circular service through western Newport, picking up passengers from Carisbrooke Road, Carisbrooke High Street, Priory Road, Gunville Road, Taylor Road, Fieldfare Road, Kinchington Road, Hinton Road, Westmill Road, Mountbatten Drive, Sylvan Drive and Pan.
The removal of Riverway prompted concerns during discussions with Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, local councillors and other stakeholders – particularly because plans are still in discussion regarding the potential future relocation of Medina Healthcare Practice to the industrial estate as previously reported by Island Echo.
However, the Council has pressed ahead with the revised route, saying the performance of the 39 will be continually monitored after the changes are introduced. Current figures show that an average of 27 passengers each day used the Sylvan Drive route (serving Riverway) and an average of 42 passengers on the Pan estate route.
The new timetable means both the current standing Pan Estate and Sylvan Drive routes will be merged into 1 service.
Should demand at Riverway increase as a result of future development, changes in employment patterns, the relocation of healthcare services or other factors, the route and timetable could be reviewed in partnership with Southern Vectis.
The new Route 38 is set to operate from Newport Bus Station via Sylvan Drive, Carisbrooke, Cedar Hill, Whitepit Lane and St John’s Road before serving Newport Town Centre, ASDA and Pan Barton and returning to the bus station.
Plans for the 38 were themselves revised during the development of the scheme after passenger data showed sufficient demand along Whitepit Lane to justify retaining a higher level of service than had originally been proposed.
As a result, the service will continue to operate via Cedar Hill, Whitepit Lane and St John’s Road between Carisbrooke and Newport Bus Station.
The Council says the revised network has been designed to provide an appropriate level of service across the different corridors while improving direct connections with key destinations including Newport Town Centre, ASDA, Carisbrooke and Pan.
The changes are being supported through £957,000 of Section 106 developer contributions, with Southern Vectis having advised that ‘pump-prime’ financial support is needed to establish the enhanced services and allow passenger numbers to grow.
The subsidy will gradually reduce over the 5-year period as the services are expected to move towards greater commercial sustainability.
The decision to approve the funding and enhanced services was formally made on 31st July, with the officer decision record dated 10th August.
