Nights out unlocked and days out on a Sunday
From Sunday 26th May, residents living in the villages along route 753 will be able to reach Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury Town Centre later into the evening and on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Hedingham and Chambers will receive a proportion of the Bus Service Improvement Plan 2 funding allocated to Suffolk County Council by the UK Government, following a successful bid to enhance its existing bus service, route 753.
Route 753 travels between Bury St Edmunds, serving Long Melford, Acton, Great Waldingfield, Lavenham, Cross Green, Stanningfield, Sicklemere, West Suffolk Hospital and Sudbury Bus Station.
These villages, which have not had a bus service on a Sunday for many years, have fully supported the expansion of this service and councillors and parishes have expressed that it will make a significant difference to their local community. The service will expand opportunities to use the bus to commute for work, for medical appointments, enjoy great days and nights out for leisure and offer more independence for young people to be mobile without having to rely on a car or family for a lift.
The last bus will depart Bury St Edmunds Bus Station at 22.30, arriving in Sudbury Bus Station 23.25 every Monday to Saturday, with a Sunday service leaving at 08.30 from Sudbury Bus Station, until the last service at 16.15.
Gavin Smith, Managing Director for Go East Anglia who operate Hedingham and Chambers Bus services commented “We are delighted to work with the local parishes and Suffolk County Council to improve our current service and offer a more accessible bus service. With the ongoing £2 single fare scheme in place until the end of 2024, residents can now take full advantage of the cost -savings bus travel offers all week long and access the services they need, when they need them.
Introducing enhancements to local bus services places significant pressure on bus operators with costs for implementation high. Support through the BSIP 2 funding allows ideas to be evaluated but generating a strong passenger base is essential to the longer-term continuation of these enhancements.”
A spokesperson for West Suffolk Council, said “I am delighted that the service between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury has been expanded to include later nights and Sundays. This encourages residents to travel, whether commuting or for leisure, using sustainable transport methods. The additional service supports the local economy in towns and villages along the route, boosting visitors to restaurants, shops, and amenities, and enhancing the night-time economy. It will unlock access to events in Bury St Edmunds from the Apex to the Makers Markets, helping our communities thrive and grow sustainably.”
Irene Mitchell, Chair of Lavenham Parish Council said “ Lavenham Parish Council is delighted about the extended 753 bus service. This will be excellent for our residents and our businesses. Lavenham looks forward to local people from neighbouring villages being able to visit our excellent range of shops and hospitality venues. “
Rachel Price, Business manager of Sudbury Town Council commented” We are thrilled with the extension of the 753 service. We have an ever-expanding evening and Sunday economy in Sudbury with some of the best Sunday lunches for miles around, fantastic pubs, cafes, and independent businesses, not to mention the strength of our heritage and culture sector. Much of our town centre events programming is also taking place on Sundays this year, from our new Street Food Festivals, our Green Sundays Eco Markets and a new Antiques & Vintage Fair, we are excited at the prospect that more people will now be able to reach us and enjoy everything our town has to offer.”
Hedingham and Chambers will be at Green Sunday in Sudbury Town Centre on Sunday 19th May to provide further information on the enhanced service and a similar event will take place in Bury St Edmunds in early June.
Enhanced Timetable for Route 753
The full 753 timetable can be viewed here