A WOMAN from Tavistock is appealing for local residents to take notice of a 'brand new' bus route through the town's north western area. Pat Newis, 71, who lives on Glanville Road, is praising the 89 bus service as it now gives her the choice whether to stay in or go out. The 89 bus is a new service from First, who are under contract to Devon County Council, to cover the Manor and Courtlands areas of the town. Running every half hour from Monday to Saturday, the service provides a link to the town centre and bus station — extending to the town's Morrisons superstore every hour. It was anticipated that traffic would increase in the area by a 100 car movements a day as the new housing developed, which proved to be an issue with surrounding residents. Wimpey have built 56 two, three and four bedroomed homes, while Permissons have built 17 residential homes of two, three and four bedrooms and 14 social housing units. In order to take care of traffic issues, the developers funded this new service as part of a legal section agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Pat, who moved to Tavistock two and a half years ago, found after walking to the town centre, for either doctor appointments or shopping, she was too tired to walk back — resulting in her spending around £9 a week on taxis. She has found this new service has given her the choice to catch the bus, take a taxi or even walk. 'Since it started in April I have been on it three times. I say to people when I am on the bus "isn't this lovely" and everyone agrees! 'It helps me get around and I can now go to Somerfield, which is on the other side of town, whereas before if I walked down I would be too tired to walk that far. I can go out during the day to the town centre and not worry about taxi fare. I can feel restricted at home, and I like having the option of going out. The bus route covers the hospital, the doctors, the bus station, and it will also allow me to vote this year whereas before I couldn't. It really has opened up an awful lot more for me.' Devon County Councillor for Tavistock, Roy Connelly, said: 'The new service will provide a vital link with what is a major housing development on the northern edge of town. 'It covers a convenient circular route through Tavistock and hopefully it will encourage more people to use the bus instead of their car to help ease congestion and parking in the area.' Although the service is still in its early days and at the moment there seems to be a lack of people using the bus, a spokesman for Devon County Council has said the service is 'guaranteed' to continue for the next three years. A timetable leaflet is being distributed to homes in the area, with further copies available from the town's Tourist Information Centre and library. For more information of all local bus service times, contact Traveline on 0871 2002233.
