Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
The 61 bus service runs from Whitfield to Aycliffe via Pencester Road as most will know. The service is every 15 minutes. Rather than the bus turn into Pencester, why can`t they pick up, drop off, at the bottom of Pencester on Maison Dieu Road, (there`s a pelican crossing there), and then continue the journey via Townwall Street, the sea front, then past the clock tower and join Snargate street at the roundabout. Would this not bring some Dovorians to see their sea front? Is this a viable looking proposition, after all, why is there no bus service along the sea front? At the same time, visitor`s maybe encouraged to board a bus along the front with some good information boards, and see other parts of the town which they may not have seen otherwise. A bit more revenue for the bus company, and no loss of time on this route, as the 61 service sits in Pencester anyway for a time. It would also free up a bit of bus space both in Pencester and Priory street. Well?
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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
Maybe people who live in Aycliffe would not fancy walking down to Maison Duie with there shopping ??Plus the drivers usually change shifts in Pencester a nice toilet stop..
The River bus used to stop at the bottom of Taswell street before the days of the Precinct .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
excellent point colin, why is the sea front cut off from pencester gardens?
my of our elderly and infirm citizens love to sit on the sea front watching the traffic in the channel, the walk is too far as things stand.
toilet facilities for the drivers would be at the facility near to premier lodge, unless nigel closes them.
There is coach parking and toilets at the other end too. I think this is an excellent idea and, again, instead of finding reasons NOT to do something, it would be nice to find a way to make it happen.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
not quite true sid the bogs opposite the coach parking spaces were closed over a year ago.
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,036
Good suggestion Colin. I used to like to sit on the sea front and have a pint in Millers or Churchills on a nice sunny day but as I have not been very mobile lately it is an effort to walk up and down the subway.
Quite right about the toilets Howard, I thought that at least they could have been open in the summer months when there are a lot of people about. One of the best bogs that I have come across, lovely porcelain urinals and shining pipework not like these modern tinplate ones that are about these days.
I don't think that Nigel had anything to do with the closure.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
to be honest it would add an extra 10 to 15 miniuts to the bus run,the other thing is where would the bus stops go subject to the dhb.the other point is which entarance would they use to get in and out of,and with the dock traffic in both directions is atrochious at the best of times.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
It wouldn`t have to add any amount of time Brian. In the time it takes going up Pencester, sitting there 10 minute`s or more, through the town centre, down York street, along Snargate street, my new route would show it rejoining Snargate street at the other end, and more likely 10 or 15 minute`s earlier than the present time rather than the other way round! Sue has a point about shopper`s above, but it`s not that far from the present stop. Where to erect a bus stop? Simple, next to the Gateway flats after turning left off Townwall street. There you may tap into the Gateway flats resident`s. Regarding Sue`s comment above about driver`s changing shift`s and toilet in Pencester, train driver`s, pilot`s go for hours. A relief driver could changover there if needed. Driver`s can easily be re-rostered, like any other job, and I`m sure they`ll be happy for a nice change of scenery. The only item that would need sorting is the swing bridge over the dock, but again, just a U turn at the clock tower roundabout, and back down towards the Gateway flat`s to rejoin Townwall street. As Howard mention`s above, regarding the infirm, I do know that it can be a very long and tiresome walk from the town to the sea front for some, so I`m sure a bus would be welcome there. One other thing, there`s 4 buses an hour on the 61 route, why not utilise two of them as a trial?
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Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
colin,it would be far easier to form a new bus service stating at pencester road doing a circular route.pencester road,eastern docks,millers entrance,swing bridge exit,snargate street,york street,priory street,ladywell,back to penceter road,bus number 99.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
That`s just what I`ve been hinting at Brian, but at the present time, I`ve based everything on an existing service. A completely new service as you mention above would be fine, though I feel Wintertime wouldn`t be too profitable, but using the 61 service as it is now, they`d be no loss of revenue, and a big chance of tapping extra punter`s. The Eastern docks is currently catered for by the Deal bus.
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Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
On the subject of a circular Brian, this would mean having a 61 and your 99 duplicating the Snargate street and Ladywell area`s.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the bus stop at the gateway flats is still there, used to be for the tesco courtesy bus.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
Thanks for that Howard, that`s saved a few thousand pound`s worth of planning and building work.
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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
Why not lobby the ward councillor Nigel .He is also man of transport .Well trains and cars .
Im too busy with my route 60 ,with diversions etc .
He does spend a lot of time in Maidstone
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
good point nigel along with ken tranter and others effectively lobbied for a bus to stop in market square.
i find stagecoach good at listening to customers.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
colin,at preasnt the 61 dosent touch ladywell,ie it goes past it in both directions.as for snargate street it would only use one [1] of the two [2] bus stops,the term eastern docks refers to the roudabout by the entrance.two probably three [3] along the seafront would suffice.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
I think I also had a hand in getting the bus through to Market Square .you must let me indulge it is my birthaday today .I might be like Ester Ransom who knows ??
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
That`s right Brian, the 61 does pass Ladywell in both directions, and there`s a bus stop not far away from each. Regarding Sue`s posting above, why can`t a bus stop at the original stopping place in the Market Square, and then continue through the precinct, after all, a number of cars, vans, and lorries do so for various reasons. Bring the Square to life again. P.S. Sorry, happy birthday Sue.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
many happy returns susan, being a gentleman i would not dream of asking your age.
mind you, we could all have a guess.
come on forumites.
Happy birthday Sue, and I don't need to guess your age as you are young at heart, and that's all that matters. Enjoy your day. x