Trial for free Northwich shuttle bus service
Residents in Northwich have six weeks to try out a shuttle bus service connecting Northwich rail station with the bus station and town centre.
The pilot scheme is being jointly funding by Northern Rail, Northwich Town Council and Cheshire West & Chester Council.
The new service, which will begin on 20 September, is one of the first projects to be initiated by the new regeneration partnership Regenerate Northwich.
The service, dubbed the Northwich Nipper, will run every weekday from 8.30am until 4.00pm shuttling continuously via the town's supermarkets; at Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury, Somerfield and Tesco.
Mike Cooksley, chairman of Regenerate Northwich, said: "When the partners came together to form the partnership our intention was to get things done and make a difference in the town and improve things for the people of Northwich. This is the first step to doing exactly that; hopefully getting Northwich back on its feet and to be followed by a number of further initiatives and projects that will kick start the town's regeneration.
"This initiative demonstrates, even at a time of financial constraint and difficulties, what can be done with the support of local organisations, local people and businesses working together. It's a win-win situation for everyone concerned, not only is there a direct benefit to the town's businesses but a real tangible benefit to commuters, visitors, shoppers and local communities. Hopefully it will assist in tackling the problem of congestion and issues around the environment by providing a quick, convenient and free public transport service."
If the scheme proves to be a success then it is hoped that funding for a permanent service will be forthcoming from businesses that will reap the benefit of increased footfall in the town and government bodies.
