Changes to bus timetables and routes serving the west of Walsall and Wolverhampton will come into effect from Sunday 24th July following a major consultaion exercise during the spring by Centro which oversees public transport across the West Midlands.

Centro distributed leaflets to all households in the area seeking the views and comments from current and potential passengers on how they believed bus services could be improved. A series of exhibitions were also held at key locations in order to engage with the community.

Liberal Democrat councillors representing the Short Heath and New Invention areas of Willenhall added to the consultation by conducting a survey of their own through their Focus newsletters. “We would like to thank all those who responded to our bus servey” commented councillor Ian Shires. “Your comments were passed on to Centro and have had a direct effect on the changes which will take place at the end of July. These changes will see improved links to Wolverhampton via New Cross Hospital. Improved services from Walsall to Willenhall via Lodge Farm and New Invention.

“There will also be a new express bus service from Cannock to Birmingham serving New Invention, Short Heath, Bentley joining the M6 at J10 then on to Birmingham. This service the X31, will be operated by ARRIVA and should give huge incentives to motorists to abandon their cars in favour of public transport to get to work and for shopping trips” concluded Ian.

What has to be remembered is that Centro can not dictate to the private bus operators where and when their buses should run. They have had to work closely with Arriva, Central Connect, Midland, National Express West Midlands along with Walsall and Wolverhampton Councils to use the feedback to help shape the new network.

As well as improvements to services they have secured agreement for new buses, cleaning and monitoring of services along with new shelters and Real Time information will be introduced. Leaflets will be sent to all households in the review area and a series of exhibitions will be held. Those closest to our area will be at Park Street, Walsall on the 14th July between 1pm and 6pm, and at Willenhall market on the 22nd July between 9.30am and 3pm.

A summary of the changes affecting the Willenhall area is as follows:

• Improved links to Wolverhampton from Walsall via Short Heath and Coppice Farm (69 service) earlier Monday to Saturday journeys.
• New Service Cannock to Birmingham via New Invention, Short Heath, Shepwell Green M6 J10. (ARRIVA X31 service).
• New links to New Cross Hospital from Willenhall to Wolverhampton via Short heath, New Invention and Ashmore Park (National Express West Midlands 28 service)
• An improved Walsall to Lodge Farm service via Darlaston with early morning and Sunday journeys introduced (Midland 9 service)
• Improved evening and Sunday services to Walsall from Willenhall via Lodge Farm (Nation Express West Midlands 40 service) and via New Invention, Allens Rough (National Express 41 service)