What's changing and when

If you rely on the bus to get to work, college or school, you'll want to pay close attention. From Monday 3 June, several local routes will be revised as part of a timetable review designed to improve reliability and better match where people are actually travelling. The changes affect morning and evening peak services on five routes, with some stops no longer served and a number of journeys shifted by five to fifteen minutes. It's not a wholesale overhaul, but for regular commuters, even a small shift can mean the difference between catching a connection and missing it. Here's a clear breakdown of what's happening, which stops are affected, and what you can do if your usual bus no longer works for you.

The routes affected

The following routes will change from the first week of June. Times shown are for the first weekday service unless otherwise stated.

• Route 12 (The Green – Market Square – High Street): The 7:20am departure from The Green will now leave at 7:10am. The bus will no longer serve Oak Lane in either direction. A new stop at Mill Road will be added instead.
• Route 14 (St Mary's Church – Retail Park – Hospital): Frequency drops from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes during the morning peak (7am–9am). The 8:05am from St Mary's Church will become 8:00am.
• Route 27 (North Estate – Town Centre – Rail Station): This route will be split into two shorter services. The western half (North Estate to Town Centre) keeps its current times. The eastern half (Town Centre to Rail Station) will run as a separate shuttle every 30 minutes.
• Route 43 (Village – Business Park – Market Square): Two early morning journeys (6:40am and 7:10am) are withdrawn. The next bus will be at 7:40am. Afternoon services are unchanged.
• Route 102 (School special – see below): Revised to serve two additional stops and depart ten minutes earlier.

What this means for your morning commute

For many, the biggest change is the earlier start on Route 12. If you usually catch the 7:20am from The Green, you'll need to be at the stop by 7:05am ready for a 7:10am departure. That's a ten-minute shift, which could affect your morning routine. On the plus side, the new Mill Road stop is closer to the business park entrance, so some of you will actually have a shorter walk at the other end. However, if you currently board at Oak Lane, you'll need to walk to either The Green or Mill Road – roughly eight to ten minutes depending on which end you're coming from.

Route 14's reduced frequency means buses will be busier. The 8:00am from St Mary's Church is likely to be standing room only for the first few weeks, so allow extra time or consider the 7:40am if you can. The 20-minute frequency continues until 9am, after which normal timings resume. For Route 27 users, the split means a change of bus in the Town Centre. If you're heading to the Rail Station, you'll now need to transfer to the shuttle – but it runs every 30 minutes, so connections should be straightforward. Just check the shuttle's first departure at 6:50am.

Getting the kids to school

Route 102, which serves three schools in the area, will now leave the depot ten minutes earlier and call at two additional stops: Park Road and Elm Close. This is good news for families living near those streets, but it means the bus will reach the first school at 8:25am instead of 8:35am. If your child usually catches it at the current time, they'll need to be at their stop fifteen minutes earlier. The afternoon return journey is unchanged. For parents who use Route 43 to get children to after-school clubs, the withdrawal of the 6:40am and 7:10am services shouldn't affect you, but do check the 7:40am if you rely on an early drop-off. School transport teams have confirmed that affected pupils will be contacted directly, but it's worth double-checking your child's route this week.

Alternatives if your usual bus no longer works

Don't panic – there are practical options. If Oak Lane was your stop, the new Mill Road stop on Route 12 is a five-minute walk from the old one, and Route 43 still serves Oak Lane at 7:40am and later. For Route 14 users facing longer waits, the number 12 runs parallel between St Mary's Church and the Retail Park, albeit less frequently. Car sharing is another option: the council's lift-share scheme has seen a rise in users, and several local employers now offer priority parking for sharers. Cycling is viable for many – the new cycle lane on Mill Road makes the journey safer, and there are secure racks at the Retail Park and Hospital. If you're travelling to the Rail Station, the Route 27 shuttle is your best bet, but the number 8 also stops there every 20 minutes from Market Square.

Planning ahead: practical tips

The best thing you can do is check the new timetable before 3 June. Printed copies will be available at the library, leisure centre and Town Hall from next Monday, and the council's journey planner will be updated from 28 May. Use the first week to trial your new routine – leave five minutes earlier than you think you need to, and note any delays or crowding. If you spot a problem, report it through the council's transport feedback line; they've said minor adjustments can be made after the first month. Talk to neighbours and colleagues about sharing lifts or walking together. And remember: these changes are about making the network more reliable in the long run. With a little planning, your commute can stay smooth – even if the timetable looks different.