New Newtown bus service to Shropshire

A new cross-border bus service will give Newtown residents and surrounding communities new public transport links into Shropshire from November.

The X81 will begin operating between Newtown and Craven Arms on Monday, 2 November, travelling through Kerry, Sarn, Montgomery, Churchstoke, Chirbury, Clun and Bishop’s Castle.

The service, a collaboration between Powys County Council and Shropshire Council, will be operated by Tanat Valley Coaches six days a week, with four journeys in each direction each day.

For communities east of Newtown, the new route will provide direct links between a number of villages as well as connections to other bus and rail services.

Passengers travelling to Craven Arms will be able to connect with the 533 bus service to Shrewsbury, while the town’s railway station provides onward services towards destinations including Manchester and Cardiff.

The X81 will also provide a new option for students from Sarn, Montgomery, Chirbury and Churchstoke travelling to and from Bishop’s Castle Community College, with the councils saying it will offer a more affordable service.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “It’s fantastic news that the new X81 will open doors for residents living in villages east of Newtown and the Vale of Kerry to access key destinations like Shrewsbury, Manchester and Cardiff using public transport.

“This new service is a great example of how working together across the border can improve public transport links and create more journey options for residents and visitors.”

The route will also restore bus services to Clun and provide new connections between communities on both sides of the Wales-England border.

Heather Kidd, Leader of Shropshire Council and councillor for Chirbury and Worthen, said: “I’m delighted to welcome this vital new bus service which is great news for south Shropshire. This will be the first time in living memory that Chirbury will be on a route to Bishop's Castle and will be the most regular bus service that Clun has had for decades.

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work with Powys County Council to provide this important service.”

Details of existing services and bus routes across the county are available through Powys County Council’s local bus information https://en.powys.gov.uk/localbuses