New bus service launched to connect Much Wenlock

Shropshire Council says bus travel will become a “more realistic option” for Much Wenlock commuters when a new route launches next month.

The new 437 service connecting Shrewsbury with Much Wenlock will provide additional capacity to the existing 436 route between Bridgnorth and the county town, meaning services from Wenlock change to become roughly half-hourly during peak times.

The scheme has been funded by the award of £1.8m of funding from the Government’s Network North fund, which will also support a number of other improvements to public transport across the county as part of the council’s updated Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Transport portfolio holder Ian Nellins said he hoped the local authority’s scheme of linked service improvements would transform services for passengers in Shropshire.

“I’m delighted that we’ll soon be introducing this new service between Much Wenlock and Shrewsbury to make the bus a more realistic option for residents, students and visitors and I know this will be welcomed by many people,” he said.

“We want to to transform the current bus offer in the county, creating the opportunity for bus to become the first choice of travel for people.

“Many other improvements are also due to be introduced soon and I look forward to announcing further details soon,” he added.

The new service will officially launch on Tuesday, September 3 and will be operated by Powys-based firm Tanat Valley Coaches, who already operate a number of public service routes in the county.

A number of other schemes are set to get underway in late 2024, including improvements to park and ride services in Shrewsbury and Ludlow, alongside the introduction of a new town route in Oswestry.

The council’s ‘Connect on demand’ bus service, where passengers can book on-demand bus journeys by using an app, is also due to expand to a new route in the east of the town to take in the new Weir Hill housing development and Shrewsbury Business Park.