The latest edition of Hopvine, an excellent quarterly publication which can be picked up in local Herefordshire pubs or perused on line at www.herefordcamra.org.uk, highlighted the return of the Castle Connect and Wye Valley Wanderer this summer; they come on tap in a few weeks (duly reported elsewhere in the blog).
However, the article also referred to what was once one of the most stunning rides in the Marches, the B17. Yes, I did say 'what was' as this summer only circular from Hay-on-Wye, through the Black Mountains and back via Longtown and Craswall has gone. It was one of the few ways to get to the historic Bull's Head, Craswall (featured above) without a car (now horse back, cycling and walking come to mind).
Unfortunately, the very day that Hopvine was put to bed the Brecon Beacons National Park declared that it could no longer support the summer Beacons Bus Network including the B17, known affectionately as the Offa's Dyke Flyer, not sure why for it rarely managed more than 20 mph. For those of you who have a copy of A Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches turn to page 184 and there's more to read there. It's a sad loss.
But you can have your say to save other buses and there's a move afoot to ensure that the 39A Sunday bus to Hay from Brecon and Hereford survives beyond the summer. Hay is a major tourist destination and travel doesn't stop on Sundays. There's a real need for an all year Sunday service!
The campaign is being spearheaded by Rail for Hereford (www.railforherefordshire.com) and Transition Town Hay (www.transitiontownnetwork.org). In the meantime spend a couple of minutes to fill in Herefordshire's bus consultation and tell the Council you want buses to stay!
No comments:
Post a Comment