Bilbrook Road is now on the main bus route between Wolverhampton and Codsall for the new No 5 bus route.  From the information provided by the published time table buses in either direction can cross over in Bilbrook Road every 10-14 minutes.  This service appears to have replaced the previous No 535 route.  This route no longer includes Birches Bridge Shops, the route now travels along Elliotts Lane, Bilbrook Road and Duck Lane.  If your house is either on this route or is in very close proximity you will experience buses passing on a very frequent basis, which includes Week-ends. 

The impact of this bus route is that there will be an increase in traffic noise, congestion as a result of buses stopping at bus stops along Bilbrook Road and additional inconvenience of both Double Deck and Single Deck buses stopping to negotiate parked cars and oncoming traffic.  Bilbrook Road is also a restricted road  7.5tonne vehicles are prohibited from using the road other than for access only.  The average weight for a single and double deck bus varies between 14.5-20tonne.  This is in addition to negotiating a narrow road (Bilbrook Road) which has 9 speed humps, two traffic calming roundabouts, two schools and a row of shops!  I have personally witnessed some bus drivers failing to slow down at the roundabouts.  The school term is nearing an end and this will only exasperate the problems.

South Staffordshire County Council have stated that Centro/National Express have been involved in extensive consultation.  However residents along this route are unaware of this consultation.

The bus company say that they are serving the needs of the public, but the Bangor bus service (which is still running) met that very small need in Bilbrook Road anyway!  The shocking fact is that there is a considerable amount of buses operating empty or with just a couple of passengers.

It may interest you to know, that I have been told by South Staffordshire County Council that they have no input into the choice of bus routes/changes or whether there is a safety issue involved.   Apparently this is decided by the Department of Transport.

I would like you to help me campaign against this change of bus route based on the fact that the road is not suitable and therefore potentially not safe.  The noise and disruption to the surrounding homes is not acceptable and will only increase due to traffic congestion.