Change in bus route could adversely affect supermarket shoppers
22/12/2025
Stagecoach say they are keeping the new stopping arrangements under review
Changes to a Banbury bus route so it incorporates Banbury train station could lead to some people no longer being able to use the bus to get to their supermarket.
That’s the view of County Councillor Kieron Mallon following the announcement by Stagecoach that the B3 bus will now call at Banbury train station, via the redesigned Tramway, meaning it will no longer use the bus stop outside Morrisons on Swan Close Road.
The change to the route will come into effect on January 4.
Currently the B3 pulls off the road into a dedicated bay, next to an entry into Morrisons. Following the change the closest stop will be on the road in Tramway.
Councillor Mallon believes this may force supermarket shoppers back into cars. He said: “Currently the bus will drop off at the Morrison supermarket. They can shop, take their trolley back to a trolley park, take their bags out of the trolley and there is the bus shelter. Or they cross the road for the return journey.
“The way they’ve sighted the bus stop now, it’s up at the junction of Tramway, High Town Road and Lambs Crescent – where 4 junctions meet – where it’s the busiest part of the road. If you’re elderly, you’re disabled, you can’t carry heavy weights, you’re not going to be able to shop at Morrison’s anymore, unless you’ve got a car.
“The ironic thing is, to try and improve public transport people will now drive to Morrisons, get a taxi to Morrisons, or get their friends and relations to drive them to Morrisons. You could not make it up!”
But James Heaney Regaldo, Head of Commercial at Stagecoach West, believes the change will improve the service for bus users. He said: “The changes to the B3 route mean buses are now able to use the new bus lane, allowing the service to run via Banbury rail station and deliver a quicker and more reliable journey for customers. The change in route will also allow us to better serve Banbury Hospitals.
“Whilst we’re no longer able to serve the Morrisons bus stop, there is an alternative stop around 300 metres away.
“The bus lane has been funded by the Housing and Growth Deal with the support of Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council to improve traffic flow and public transport access, and we are keeping the new stopping arrangements under review as passengers get used to the change.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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