Buses on diversion?

Thu 9 Jan, 11:02

Agreed Liz.

Surely, OCC would have prior knowledge of the work being scheduled, then they would tell the bus companies etc.? 

It would make sense of the notices to go up at the relevant bus stops two weeks in advance (unless it's emergency works), then those residents in the affected areas to receive a text alerting them to the road closure and potential re-routing and then temporary bus stops go up the day before.

Thu 9 Jan, 09:51 (last edited on Thu 9 Jan, 14:27)

Essentially, the law allows Thames Water to dig up any road they want, when they want and with no communication.  (They don’t have to consult OCC as highways authority)

Thu 9 Jan, 09:30

OCC has confirmed that buses are now operational again. They have also told me that signposting at bus stops is the responsibility of the traffic management company working on behalf of the contractor e.g.: Thames Water.

You will have seen that Thames Water were only there for an hour on the first day. Apparently, they were unable to complete the job and have had to replan. The road closure will need to be replanned and unfortunately the road closed again in the future.

I have asked why they didn't inform the bus companies earlier if this was the case.

Thu 9 Jan, 09:11

The buses might be  taking normal routes again BUT has the work been done in Browns Lane? Or are we to presume we have to go thro' this charade again?

Thu 9 Jan, 09:09

The bus companies are private organisations and are responsible for managing their routes and informing their passengers of any diversions.  However, I take the point, Emily, the comms are pretty bad.  At least we didn't have the situation that I encountered last time there was a road closure in the town centre, when a bus driver hadn't been informed of the diversion by his bosses and found himself unable to turn around in Brown's Lane.

Thu 9 Jan, 08:15

Just seen the 08.13 S3 go past, so it looks like the service is back to operating on its normal Charlbury Town loop route 

Wed 8 Jan, 18:42

Every time there is a bus diversion, the comms coming from the OCC is non-existent or arrives (stuck to the bus stop) the day of. It can be done better, so why isn't it!?

Wed 8 Jan, 18:09

Many thanks Lisa and others.  

I agree Stephen, but it's not just cold weather.  Without wishing to repeat, my and 4 others' experience last August, illustrate how important it is to have some communication.  I called Pete Scarrott who popped round and took 3 of us into Witney, the man who had the Hospital appointment just thumbed it and was fortunate enough to have an Australian stop and take him.  What impression that must have made on our Antipodean cousins I know not.

I don't expect the buses to be punctual, I can track them using Charlbury.info.  I accept that there are going to be delays for a variety of reasons, I (and I assume, others) just need to know if they are going to divert so that we can be at the "right" bus stop.

Yes, Stephen it's a matter of credibility and trust.  I can no longer drive (for health reasons) and rely on the buses, otherwise I am effectively housebound , were it not for a lovely neighbour who lends us her car now and then.  My wife still drives.  But I value my independence, as, I think, many other disabled people do.

Having said that I take my hat off to the bus drivers who have to navigate awkward roads in Charlbury e.g. Browns Lane and Park Street.  Not a job I'd like, and they are always so helpful and cheerful.

Wed 8 Jan, 18:01

On X (twitter) it says: 

"Service Update: S3 Charlbury. Browns Lane will be closed 06/01/25-08/01/25 and the S3 will be diverting & unable to service the Enstone Road, Browns Lane, Church Street, Park Street & Grammar School Hill bus stops. Please use Crossroads, Wychwood Close or Sturt Close bus stops."

NB I don't use X, but googling gives the answers. Stagecoach posts on @Stagecoach_Ox

Wed 8 Jan, 16:25 (last edited on Wed 8 Jan, 17:55)

So if one was travelling charlbury to Woodstock this evening where do they go to pick up the bus? Assume not browns lane or the bell? And do we know if the times are still the same? The link in the forum with the map shows brownd lane etc I think. 

Wed 8 Jan, 15:46

I've spoken to Stagecoach and it is the responsibility of the County Council, not them, to signpost any diversions. They have been told not to go down Browns Lane for the duration of the closure.

I can't get through to Thames Water and I am waiting to hear back from OCC Highways to see if they know if the work has finished and who is responsible for letting the buses know this.

Wed 8 Jan, 14:43 (last edited on Wed 8 Jan, 14:52)

Found the S3 diversion on twitter: "Service Update: S3 Fawler 07/01/25-09/01/25. Due to a road closure on Charlbury Rd, Fawler the S3 is on diversion between Stonesfield & Charlbury & is unable to service Main St & Fawler Lane in Fawler, or Boot St & The Green in Stonesfield."

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Now found it on one.network. For 9 January says closed between 9.30 and 15.30. Very hard to spot!

For drivers (not bus users), there are also road works planned between Wilcote and Finstock about to start (8 Jan - 10 Jan) (OpenReach). 

Wed 8 Jan, 14:21

S3 driver said yesterday that Fawler is 'closed' so they go through Combe, Stonesfield then back out at Woodleys then straight to Charlbury on the B4437. 

Wed 8 Jan, 13:49

I just tried phoning Stagecoach to try to work out what is going on, but more importantly to understand what they should be doing in future similar situations when a short term road closures are announced. Standing at a bus stop in this cold weather when a bus has been diverted elsewhere dents confidence in public transport.

Wed 8 Jan, 11:41 (last edited on Wed 8 Jan, 11:42)

Just watched the S3 on the live map, from Charlbury to Woodleys on the B4437, then direct to stonesfield, turned around and went back to woodleys via Coombe then onto the A44.

This morning I followed an earlier S3 on the B4437 which alternated its S3 sign with 'On Diversion' but nothing on the stagecoach website to indicate why.

Wed 8 Jan, 11:37

The   X9 is doing its usual route 

Wed 8 Jan, 11:12

There's a live map here: https://bustimes.org/services/s3-oxford-woodstock-chipping-norton-charlbury#map (top right of the charlbury.info website). 

Wed 8 Jan, 10:02

The s3 looks like it’s going direct from Woodstock into charlbury on the Woodstock Road this morning. Can’t see a timetable update, has anyone seen one???

Tue 7 Jan, 11:56

Does anyone know if the X9 to Witney stops at the top of the Enstone Road? Or if not where can I catch it.  I’ve just seen an S3 go the wrong way up the Slade!

Tue 7 Jan, 11:43

Hang on!  An X9 to Chippy has just gone by.

Tue 7 Jan, 11:31

I think you may well be right Stephen.  There seems to be a dearth of buses at the Five Ways stop.  I and several others (one of whom had a Hospital Appointment in Witney) were caught out last year post Wilderness, when we watched, horrified, as the Witney X9 went down Sturt Road and across to the Fawler Road.

I telephoned Pulhams to ask what was going on, and was told that they do not restore routes after a diversion until "given permission".  "By whom?"  "I don't know".  Oh dear.

We could do with some electronic signs like the ones they have in Witney and Oxford.

Tue 7 Jan, 11:19

Although Browns Lane seems to be open, the Thames Water closure notice from Monday 6th - 8th is presumably still being observed by the bus companies and I suspect that the services are not coming into Town and are diverted via the Slade. There is no signage on the bus stop outside the Coop. Does anyone know if this is the case - I saw several people waiting in the cold for bus that never came this morning.