Member Article

New bus stop for Widemouth Bay thanks to efforts of bungalow provider

Elderly residents of a Widemouth Bay bungalow development will now have better access to local shops and amenities after one of its staff highlighted the need for a bus stop.

Antoinette Cottingham, Sales Advisor at RoyaleLife’s Meadowlands Court, generated support among residents to have a bus stop installed outside the development, after she realised the difficulties they were facing when travelling into town.

Armed with signatures from residents confirming they would use the service, Antoinette spoke to Cornwall Council and Go Cornwall Bus to put forward the case.

Antoinette said: “The original bus stop, providing a regular seven times a day service to the nearest village shop, was a whole mile away from the development.

“With the average age of our residents being 70-years old, many of them no longer drive because of health reasons, so with them unable to get access to a bus service easily, they were at a significant risk of becoming isolated.

“As a community-focused development, with our resident’s wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do, I knew that something had to be done.”

She continued: “Not only were our current residents worried about becoming isolated, but we were also losing many sales opportunities from elderly people who desperately wanted to live here but couldn’t because of the lack of bus service nearby.”

With the 95 route being the closest to the development, Antoinette suggested that Go Cornwall Bus put in a short detour using the main road from the Widemouth Manor stop, adding a total of 10 minutes onto the overall journey.

Antoinette added: “Myself and the residents were over the moon about the decision. It has already made a huge difference to so many of their lives. Having accessibility to the local village, and ensuring continued independence, is hugely important to our more elderly homeowners and I am thrilled that we have been able to provide them with this much-needed service.”

Meadowlands Court is a stunning luxury development for the over 45s. Set in unrivalled surroundings, it is ideal for those wishing to make the most of one of Britain’s renowned coastlines, vast sandy landscapes, and unforgettable sunsets.

The picturesque town of Bude lies just three miles north of the development, and boasts an array of shops, restaurants, and fantastic recreational facilities.

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