THERE will be improvements to bus services in Ludlow.

Ludlow will have better bus services to Overton, Richards Castle, Orleton, and Leominster from next Monday (May 11).

Two new departures on route 490 have been arranged by Herefordshire Council following a long campaign and discussions with Bus Users Shropshire, Rail For Herefordshire, and local councillors.

Campaign group Bus Users Shropshire is encouraging people to use the new buses.

“When most of the inter-urban services from Leominster to Ludlow were discontinued at the county border last year more than 100 people petitioned Shropshire Council asking them to step in to save the short Shropshire section of the route,” said Peter Gilbert, chairman of Bus Users Shropshire.

“Shropshire Council didn’t budge and we are grateful that Herefordshire Council have found ways to access the Rural Transport Fund to enable these services to happen.

“South Shropshire people and businesses will benefit enormously from the new buses from Herefordshire which run at times very convenient to shoppers.

"Our welcome event will focus on how we can keep these buses running with local people championing the service in their area.”

The new services will run Mondays to Fridays until March 2016. Buses will leave Leominster at 9.45am and 12.15pm, and call at Luston at 9.53am and 12.23pm, Orleton at 10am and 12.30pm, Richards Castle at 10.05am and 12.35pm, Overton at 10.10am and 12.40pm to arrive Ludlow Assembly Rooms at 10.15am and 12.45pm respectively.

The new services depart Ludlow Assembly Rooms Monday to Friday at 10.20am and 12.50pm to Leominster.