by Ed Davies
A decision to reprieve a threatened bus service serving a touring caravan park on the edge of a south Shropshire town is now paying dividends as crowds flock to the park
Ludlow Touring Park, is reporting its busiest season since opening in May 2012 and owner Karen Price puts the boom, down to an increased bus service to the site.
The extra services, backed by funding support from local councils, are being run on a trial basis until next April.
It was feared that the 490 bus service would be cut last April but a local campaign and funding support pledged by councils saved it.
“The park is a reasonable walk from Ludlow and it is too far for many of our elderly customers,” said owner Mrs Price.
“Customers would either face the walk or would be forced to hire a taxi, which are difficult to come by.
“The extra buses have given a huge boost to the number of people staying with us. Motorhome owners, in particular, like to use the bus to get into town.
“We have numerous examples of customers returning to the park, now that we have a daily bus service because public transport is an important issue for them when they book to stay with us.
“Lugg Valley Travel also allows passengers with dogs to travel on the bus. Our customers, who own dogs, are delighted that they can buy a doggy day ticket for £1 to take them on the bus.”
Lugg Valley Travel, which operates the bus service, has increased the number of buses calling at the park to eight – four to Ludlow and four to Leominster – from Monday to Friday.
The 135-pitch Ludlow Touring Park is located on a 20-acre site alongside the River Teme and A49 near Richards Castle and is a prestigious affiliated site of The Caravan Club.
