Oxfordshire County Council has spent £20,000 through its Bus Journey Time Reliability programme to make bus stops safer for those with disabilities.

They will now find it safer and easier to use services after concerns from bus operator Stagecoach about some passengers having difficulties getting on and off buses safely.

The council has created ‘build-outs’ at the bus stops in Acre Street in Eynsham and Corn Street and Newland in Witney following extensive local consultation, with the Eynsham scheme set for review in 2022.

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Delays at these three locations were adversely affecting the reliability of bus services, so these improvements will also help improve bus journey times by speeding up boarding and alighting.

It forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to support local bus services and its response to the government’s National Bus Strategy.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Managements, said: “Making improvements to the public transport system helps reduce our reliance on car journeys, and work like this will make it easier for people to use the bus and thereby cut carbon emissions.

“We will continue our efforts to support bus travel through delivering accessibility improvements across the county where they are needed.”

The improvements also help the needs of other disabled groups, such as blind or cognitive impaired bus passengers, as well as those carrying heavy luggage and pushchairs.

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