Monday 6 June 2011

Ringwood relinked, summer solstice & diversions

A new bus operator comes to Southampton from 9th July. Gardbus, based in Bournemouth, are reconnecting Ringwood to Southampton with new service 39. The service is significantly reduced compared to the old Dorset Sprinter X5, but it's better than nothing. It'll run one return journey every Wednesday and Friday, timed to make it possible for people from Ringwood to spend a few hours in Southampton. Unfortunately it isn't timed to make it possible for Sotonians to spend a few hours in Ringwood and then come back on the same day - your best bet for that is still National Express. On Saturdays however, there will be two return journeys between Southampton and Ringwood, meaning you can go to Ringwood for a couple of hours. The first and last journey will run from and to Fordingbridge, giving them a direct bus into Southampton for the first time in years. Rather than run via the M271 like its predecessor, the 39 will run via Totton, Testwood and Cadnam. Check out Gardbus's website complete with the 39's timetable and their Facebook page. We wish them the best of luck.

Several routes of all companies will be diverted in the City Centre next week when Bargate Street is closed from Monday 13th to Friday 17th June. Read about First's diversions here.

Victoria Road in Woolston is partially closed until around 15th August, meaning diversions to First 1/1A (City Centre-Weston)

Slightly out of our area, but if you fancy going to Stonehenge for the summer solstice, Wilts & Dorset will be running special buses from Salisbury train station on the night of Monday 20th June directly to Stonehenge. Don't forget that you can of course also catch the W&D X7 from Southampton to Salisbury.