STAGECOACH has announced it will bring back the bus link from Tavistock to Plymouth Rail Station following customer concerns over its recent scrapping.

At the beginning of September this year Stagecoach South West said there would no longer be a direct bus from the town to Plymouth’s train station — a decision which caused upset within the community.

A public consultation was then organised in October by Stagecoach bosses and Devon County Councillor Debo Sellis in order to give concerned members of the public a platform on which they could have their say over the issue.

Then, last week, Stagecoach confirmed that, starting November 26, it would introduce an alteration to its Route 1 — in response to customer suggestions.

The new route will see buses from Tavistock serving North Road East instead of North Hill, providing a closer connection to the train station.

Customers who wish to travel from the station towards Tavistock will need to board the in-bound service and then remain on the bus as it goes via the city centre and Plymouth University before heading back to Tavistock.

Bosses have said that the route change would effectively double the frequency to the station compared to the original service plus provide connections in the evenings and on Sundays for the first time.

In response to the announcement, Tavistock resident and bus user Maureen Bridge said: ‘Stagecoach has responded to all those in Tavistock, Whitchurch, Horrabridge and Yelverton who expressed their dismay at the cancellation of the bus service from Tavistock to Plymouth Rail Station a few weeks ago.

‘From the end of November all buses from Tavistock to Plymouth will be making a small change to the route to include a stop for those who need to get to the railway station. Thank you Stagecoach for listening to us.’

Robert Williams, commercial director for Stagecoach South West, said: ‘I’d like to thank all the members of the public who took the time to make constructive suggestions on how to improve our service and better meet their needs. Whilst we can’t accommodate everybody’s request, I hope that this change will improve the service for the majority of people in the area.’

Devon County Councillor Debo Sellis said: ‘I want to thank Stagecoach for listening to residents concerns and finding a solution that has appeared to have satisfied bus users.

‘We are all encouraged to use buses and trains and, when difficulties occur, it is good to be able to work together and iron challenges out.’

• Stagecoach has also announced the trial of a Sunday Park and Ride service — from November 26 — operating on the five Sundays before Christmas. Buses will run from the George Junction and Milehouse (100/101) sites from just after 9am with the last service leaving the city centre at 5.30pm.

New timetables will shortly be available in print and at www.stagecoachbus.com