Stagecoach confirms details of forthcoming Newton Poppleford service diversions

Stagecoach South West has today confirmed that, while South West Water carries out essential water main replacement work, its buses will not be able to run through Newton Poppleford for approximately three weeks from Saturday 5 October.

For the duration of the closure services 52A, 52B and 157 will be subject to lengthy diversions, with journeys between Exeter and Sidmouth and Seaton taking an additional 25 minutes and journeys between Exmouth and Sidmouth taking an additional 16 minutes. Services 52A and 52B will be diverted via the A30 and Honiton and service 157 will alternate between either finishing at Otterton or diverting via Tipton St John through to Sidmouth.

The operator will also run shuttle buses, funded by South West Water, in order to maintain connections to as many key connections as possible on the missing sections of route, albeit at a lower frequency. There will be two shuttle buses in operation: the 52E will run between Exeter, Clyst St Mary and Newton Poppleford (Little Down Lane) and the 52S will run between Sidmouth and Newton Poppleford (Meadow Drive).

Special timetables for all of the above services will be issued shortly with leaflets distributed to all households in Newton Poppleford and online versions available to view at www.stagecoachbus.com/southwest.

Michael Watson, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, commented “I'd like to apologise to our customers for the problems that this closure will cause them, and to thank them in advance for bearing with us. We have been working very closely with South West Water to minimise the impact and are grateful that they have been able to adjust their plans to allow buses through after approximately three weeks. Their contribution towards providing shuttle buses also means that most locations will continue to have a bus service while the main buses are diverted.”

Stagecoach South West anticipates that, after the initial three-week closure period, access for buses will be restored and their services will be able to return to normal. As an exact date has not been confirmed, customers are advised to look out for further information online and in the press in the upcoming weeks.