We are pleased to hear from Stagecoach West that the number of passengers using the No 8 service has increased. This is the service that now runs every twenty minutes through Chiseldon.

Due to a recent near miss, the Safety Officer of Stagecoach has asked bus drivers to pull closer into the kerb when waiting at the Landmark Hotel. Please be aware of the extra traffic that is using the Mays Lane, High Street, Station Road loop and drive cautiously in this area.

The parking problems at the Great Western Hospital are, unfortunately, getting worse and with the onset of winter there will be even more patients at the hospital. The Hospital Trust is requesting that out-patients use public transport where possible, to help relieve the parking problem.

This year’s Salisbury Christmas Market will run from Thursday 26th November to Sunday 20th December. The market is held outside the Guildhall in Salisbury. If you use the X5 Salisbury Reds service to Salisbury you can alight just across the street, otherwise please use one of the Park and Ride services. Some of other Christmas markets in the area include Bath (from 26th November to 13th December), Bristol (from 6th November to 22nd December) and Cardiff (from 12th November to 23rd December).

The Bruce Street Bridge roadworks are due to run on until the end of March 2016. The Greenbridge railway crossing has also closed and will remain shut until 29th February 2016. A £4million roadworks scheme will then commence at the Greenbridge roundabout and it is estimated this will take eight months to complete. No roads will be completely closed during the work, which will largely take place between 9.30am and 4.30pm to avoid peak time traffic.

The railway will be closed immediately after Christmas with no services from Reading to London Paddington on Sunday 27th or Monday 28th December and for the week of 29th December to 3rd January there will be a very limited service.

finally we have a new Shopper bus run by Swindon Dial-a-Ride. This operates on a Monday morning, picking up throughout Chiseldon Parish and travelling to Wroughton, Waitrose at Wychelstowe, Bridgemead Sainsburys and West Swindon Asda. This service costs slightly more than concessionary travel, but does pick up from residents’ doorsteps and the driver will help to bring the shopping back. For further details please ring 01793-616050 Dial-a-Ride. This service must be booked.

David Hill – Chiseldon Parish Council