S3 bus to Oxford is being diverted?

Fri 2 May, 12:47

Thanks for this Em. I'd have missed the bus if I hadn't seen this post.

Wed 30 Apr, 08:11

I assume the utility company books in the work with the OCC, it’s approved and then that job and its details are emailed the Town Council and any bus companies in that area.

It is the job of OCC/TC to provide adequate signage and comms. There were none, as Clive, Pauline and myself discovered yesterday. It’s not good enough. The TC knew, OCC knew weeks in advance and did nothing except add an item into the Events section of this website that said nothing about diverted bus routes. If this was the first time this sort of thing has happened, I’d be less scathing but this keeps happening. 

Wed 30 Apr, 06:10

The utility company should have provided a TTRO in advance (12-weeks, I think) of starting the planned works.  A TTRN is used for unplanned (emergency) works with a much shorter notice period. Bus companies, etc. look out both to plan alternative routes/stops for the duration of the works. 

Tue 29 Apr, 19:51 (last edited on Tue 29 Apr, 19:52)

Went to Church street this morning to catch the 8.15 to Oxford only to find road closed so went home and then caught the 9.10 from Dancers Hill which went along The Slade turned round and came back again.  Even the driver didn’t know anything about the closure until this morning.

Tue 29 Apr, 17:35 (last edited on Tue 29 Apr, 17:53)

The Pulhams drivers also had no idea about the diversion today, but went above and beyond to assist us all in where to get off/get on the buses.

As Harriet has said, the buses are following the diversion usually used for the Street Fair.

I should add to Christine's point that the "event" listing put up by the Clerk is a copy and paste job from an email. No thought has been put into wording of how this diversion will effect bus routes and passengers. Also, not everyone checks the website or knows it exists, especially visitors to Charlbury - the two I came across were also as confused as me.

Finally, the TC obviously knew about the diversion, why did they not put signs on the bus shelters? Oh yes, sorry, because they don't use the buses, so out of sight, out of mind!

Tue 29 Apr, 15:54 (last edited on Tue 29 Apr, 15:55)

The s3 is going both ways along the slade, so presumably it's taking the usual street fair route and turning in nine acres close 

Tue 29 Apr, 13:59 (last edited on Tue 29 Apr, 14:02)

It would help if important road closures could be viewed under NEWS, rather than simply under EVENTS. The closure of Church Street is up to, and including, May 1st, but only between 07:30 to 18:00 each day.

I have been unable to work out from the Stagecoach and Oxford Bus website, and even the usually reliable links at the top of this website, quite where the Charlbury diversion for the S3 buses to Oxford goes. Or perhaps it's not being diverted and is being allowed through each time? 

If anyone knows, please update here.

Tue 29 Apr, 11:40 (last edited on Tue 29 Apr, 11:41)

I’m waiting for the X9 and only realised there was a diversion when the other X9 went straight across the crossroads avoiding the town.

Once again, p*** poor communications from OCC/TC.

I guess the representatives living here don’t use the buses, so it doesn’t matter if there aren’t any signs.

Thank you Clive for letting us all know 🙂

Tue 29 Apr, 11:21

I got the 8.13 this morning.  A workman came and put up a 'No Entry, Road Blocked' sign at the bottom of Church Street.  The Witney bus came, and had to reverse all the way up Church Street to get away.  The S3 arrived, and after negotiation the workman removed the signs and allowed us through.

I just got back to Charlbury and the driver said he's taking a diverted route through the town, though I know not where.  He added that the work at the bottom of Church Street had been scheduled, then cancelled, but is presumably now back on (though they forgot to tell the bus company).