Our previous post on the introduction of the extension of service 552 to provide a new link from Carnforth, Warton, Yealand and Silverdale to Arnside and Kendal was based on information supplied in good faith by Lancashire County Council, which itself received it from the operator, Lonsdale Buses. The information given matched that on the council’s own website.
After posting it, we were alerted by a reader to the fact that Westmorland & Furness Council was showing a different timetable on its website. After querying the position with both councils we then received a third version, which we are assured has been provided by Lonsdale Buses and is the timetable that has been registered. Here it is:
We have amended the previous post and removed the incorrect timetable, as there is already too much out-of-date and just plain wrong stuff on the internet already!
Service 552 will be extended from Arnside to Carnforth
This post has been amended following receipt of new information.
From Monday, 31st March, in an initiative between Lancashire and Westmorland & Furness Councils, Lonsdale Buses service 552 to Kendal will be extended to start at Carnforth, filling the gap across the county boundary and reinstating in a modest way a long-lost link between Silverdale and Arnside.
Surprisingly, even at this late stage, a full public timetable is not available, but the Bus Users’ Group has managed to obtain a draft version. which although not complete with details of picking-up points and routes, does give an indication of the service, which will operate on Monday to Saturday inclusive.
The timing points in Warton, Yealand Conyers and Levens are still to be confirmed as is the route the service will take between through Silverdale village and Arnside, but we will post these as soon as we can obtain the details.
Service 552 itself was established in March 2020, just before the Covid pandemic struck, but despite this it managed to establish itself and was recently extended from a three to a six day a week operation. A previous service between Arnside and Kendal, operated by Stagecoach was withdrawn in 2019.
Ribble
Historically the link was provided by Ribble Motor Services as part of service 554 between Kendal and Lancaster. In 1971 an hourly service was still being operated although by the time of deregulation of bus services in October 1986 it had shrunk to just two journeys a day with additional journeys between Warton and Lancaster.
The new service provides a facility for passengers from Warton, Yealand and Silverdale to visit Kendal including Morrisons supermarket as well as the town centre. as well as allowing Arnside residents to get to Carnforth and, with connecting services, to Lancaster,
Lancaster Bus Users' Group 