Passengers at Hest Bank wishing to travel to Lancaster or Carnforth on service 55 will have a long walk to a bus stop from next week when Stagecoach introduces a further diversion on the service.
Problems began earlier in the month when overhanging trees on Peacock Lane caused difficulties for the double-deckers resulting in at least one broken window. The recent heavy rain has exacerbated the problem. Buses were initially diverted via Shady Lane, meaning that stops at the Memorial Hall, Peacock Lane and Sunningdale Avenue could not be served. Whilst recognising the inconvenience to passengers, Stagecoach say that they felt that safety was paramount.
Unfortunately, further problems were encountered and so from Saturday, 13th June a further diversion will see buses using Throstle Grove instead. This means that unless some temporary stops are provided at Hasty Brow, the only stop on the Hest Bank loop off the A6 still being served will be Beech Grove, which is only just off the main road anyway.
Tree Lopping
The diversion is said to be “until further notice”, but the Bus Users’ Group understands that Stagecoach is holding urgent discussions with Lancashire County Council, with a site meeting being held to identify the problem trees being held next week. The situation is potentially complicated by it being the bird nesting season. Tree work is only possible between April and August providing that it can be shown that nesting birds are unaffected. Our Group will be supporting Stagecoach by stressing to Lancashire County Council the serious affect that the diversion is having on passengers.
Single deckers?
Only double-deck buses are affected, but these are standard for the 55, at least during the daytime. Stagecoach tell us that they have only a limited number of single-deckers and these are needed for routes such as the 4 and 49 that have to negotiate low bridges. Some of the smaller single deckers might not have the capacity for the 55. The company also feels that having the diversion operating only at certain times of the day would prove confusing for passengers.
Alternatives
Everyone concerned hopes that the situation can be resolved quickly, but if it drags on we would hope that Stagecoach will reconsider the use of Shady Lane and/or single deckers. We also suggest that a temporary stop could be erected at the Hasty Brow junction, which is at least a bit nearer to the village.
Passengers from Peacock Lane do have the alternative of walking to the Coastal Road to pick up service 5 if going to Carnforth and should the problem persist beyond the 6th July they may find that Lonsdale Buses’ revised 85 service a means of getting to Lancaster as well.
Lancaster Bus Users' Group 
I am fortunate that I have a car, unlike some of the residents who use this service. However now that Lancaster council have changed their car park charges, it makes a trip into town very expensive. Surely charging so much can’t be good for local shop owners, who will lose custom and will only deter people from going into Lancaster.
Lancaster Bus Users’ Group response:
I hope you can understand that as a group representing bus passengers that we have no particular view on car park charges, other than they need to be high enough to meet all the costs of car park provision and maintenance.
Any reduction in the number of cars coming into Lancaster helps to reduce congestion and therefore makes buses more reliable and attractive.
Bus passengers also spend money in Lancaster’s shops and are more likely to visit the city centre than out of town shopping sites.