Member Article

Sci-Tech Daresbury bus services launched

Two new buses are being launched to enable people working at Sci-Tech Daresbury to easily access the site.

The buses, which launched this week, are branded with the Sci-Tech Daresbury logo and form part of the 200 bus service that provides a link between key employment areas in Runcorn, including Sci-Tech Daresbury, Daresbury Park, Manor Park, Whitehouse Industrial Estate and Astmoor Industrial Estate.

The service operates every 30 minutes throughout the day Monday to Friday and also provides a rapid link between Murdishaw and Runcorn Old Town (High Street bus station and railway station) via Runcorn East and Windmill Hill.

The new high-quality, low-floor easy-access vehicles have been purchased with funding provided through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) and are now operating on the service.

Cllr John Stockton, Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board member for Transportation, said, “I am delighted that the improved 200 service will make it easier, and quicker, for local people to get to Sci-Tech Daresbury and our other main employers in Runcorn, allowing them to take advantage of job opportunities at these sites.

“Our strategy to improve employment opportunities in the borough is being helped by our strategic transport plan; which aims to ensure we have the right transport routes in place.”

John Downes, chief executive of Langtree and director of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture, said: “These new buses will help to make the Sci-Tech Daresbury site even more accessible and will enable people living in Halton and the surrounding areas to easily get to and from work using a convenient, affordable and sustainable mode of transport.

“Investing in public transport links to Sci-Tech Daresbury and guaranteeing that the site is well-connected to local towns and cities is a key part of ensuring that businesses on the site are able to continue to attract the brightest and the best talent from the region, which is an important part of guaranteeing the long term growth and development of the site.”

Jon Williams, Regional Head of Estates & Facilities Management North for the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) said: “Investment in transport infra-structure such as this is essential for Sci-Tech Daresbury and STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory to continue to be able to recruit the very best people to work in our facilities, allowing to us to maintain our position as a world leading research site.”

The 200 bus service has been operating for 14 years and in the initial years was wholly supported by Halton Borough Council.

Following a successful partnership bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund with St Helens and Warrington Councils around 12 months ago, the frequency of the service was increased from hourly to half hourly and the route was also extended to include Runcorn mainline railway station and Runcorn High Street bus station.

Since these service enhancements, the number of passengers using the service has almost doubled along the route.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .