There are significant changes to Newport area bus services from March 30 following the review of services undertaken by the City Council. The City's main bus operator, Newport Bus, retains most services, some services are replaced and new services are being introduced. The details are as follows -
Services 3, 3A, 3C, 3X Newport to Malpas - These services have been renumbered Services 17, 18 & 19. Newport Bus state that they have revised the network of services to Malpas, investing in more resources to provide higher frequencies and better coverage. The Service 3X Newport to Malpas will be provided by an alternative operator (according to Newport Bus).
Services 5A, 5B, 5C Newport to Whitson/Goldcliff via the Sports Village - The service will be operated by Drake Travel services rather than Newport Bus. The route is financially supported by Newport City Council.
Services 7 & 7B - Newport to Cwmbran via Caerleon – Minor evening re-timings.
Service 9 Newport to Spytty – Renumbered Service 42.
Service 9B Newport to Felnex Industrial Estate – To be operated by a new contractor rather than Newport Bus.
Service 10A & 10C Newport to St Julians – Newport Bus Service now re-timed to leave City at twenty past the hour at the request of Newport City Council.
Service 12 Newport to Llanwern Corus - Newport Bus will no longer be operating this service, Stagecoach has been selected to provide the service.
Services 16, 16A Newport to Moorland Park – Renumbered. Service 16 to Service 43 & Service 16A to Service 43A.
Service 17 Newport to Foxgloves – Renumbered Service 5.
Service 18A & 18C Newport to Bettws – Renumbered. Service 18A to Service 15 and Service 18C to Service 16.
Service 19 Newport to Ringland/Alway via George Street Bridge – Renumbered Service 9.
Service 29B Newport to Leeway Industrial Estate – Journey withdrawn (passengers advised to use Newport Bus Service 42).
Services 31A & 31 C Newport to Castleton/Marshfield – Minor re-timings plus the three afternoon works journeys withdrawn (new alternative Service 36 for passengers)
Service 40 Newport to Pillgwenlly – Service extended to Dock Gates and around Usk Way and Old Town Dock. Circular service to be provided with introduction of Service 41 (Service 40 will be anti-clockwise and Service 41 clockwise).
Service 61 Newport to Magor via Redwick - Following the award of this Newport City Council Contract, Newport Bus will be operating this service from 31st March 2008.
Service 62 Newport to Llanwern - A new service to be introduced by the City Council and run by Stagecoach although full detail not available.
Service 96 Newport to Moorland Park/Spytty - Renumbered to Service 44.
Service 98 & 99 Newport to Royal Gwent/St Woolos Hospitals - The Saturday service has been awarded to Stagecoach. Newport Bus will still be operating the Monday to Friday service.
BIG CHANGES TO NEWPORT BUS SERVICES
POLICE APPEAL - SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT
Gwent Police is appealing for information to a suspicious incident that happened on Wednesday 6 March. A 16 year old female was walking along Brynglas Road in the direction of Malpas Road at approximately 5.20pm when a Fiat Punto, dark racing green in colour, pulled up beside her on the road. The lone male driver touched her arm, she pulled away, and he drove off. The male is described as being Asian in appearance, aged 20-25 years old, of a slim build, with blemished skin and bushy eyebrows. His dark brown hair was combed back and he had a gold hoop in his right ear. If anyone has any information that could assist officers with their enquiries they are asked to call Gwent Police on 01633 838 111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
EVACUATION OVER AS FLOOD THREAT PASSES
St. Brides residents are now returning to their homes following a successful evacuation yesterday evening. The decision was taken to evacuate approximately 170 residents from the Lighthouse Park Caravan site, St Brides, Wentloog following forecasts for high tides and high winds. The forecasted storms, combined with the Spring high-tide posed a potential risk to some residents living on the coast. Officers visiting the site offered early advice regarding the potential flooding and possible structural damage to property from high winds. Residents were advised to evacuate their properties as a precautionary measure. Some premises near the coast between Goldcliff and Redwick were also offered advice and given the opportunity to evacuate. An evacuation rest centre was set up at Newport Leisure centre. The majority of residents were found accommodation at nearby hotels, with a small number remaining at the rest centre. Councillor Bob Bright, leader of the council, said: “The most sensible course of action was to carry out an early evacuation. This meant that we could effectively re-home residents before the storm took hold. Should we have waited, and the worst-case weather scenarios occurred, it could have been difficult to carry out a safe evacuation.
REPRIEVE FOR BRYNGLAS SCHOOL
The City Council has revoked the proposed closure of Brynglas School until at least 2010. Cabinet member for Young People's Services Bob Poole stated he was investigating a number of alternative options for the site including a potential location for a Welsh medium primary and the possible relocation of St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School.
NEW WETLANDS CENTRE OPENS
A striking new environmental education and visitor centre at Newport Wetlands nature reserve has now opened its doors. The brand new centre sits on the edge of the Newport Wetlands reserve nestled among reeds and pools, which will soon become inhabited by the local birdlife. The £3 million centre houses a shop and café for visitors to relax in, an education room for schools, activities and events, as well as conference facilities for local businesses and community groups. Seventeen new jobs have also been created at the centre. Kate Humble, broadcaster and naturalist helped to officially open the centre to the public. She said: 'In the middle of urban south Wales lies this incredible area for wildlife, which visitors can enjoy to the full now that the RSPB's new environmental education and visitor centre has opened its doors. You can be in amongst the most beautiful scenery within minutes of leaving Newport city centre." Mayor of Newport, Councillor Allan Morris said:
‘The new visitor centre is a real asset to Newport and provides a welcoming urban gateway for visitors to explore the natural World. here is such a wealth of important habitats and wildlife here at the wetlands, and the centre will play a vital role in informing and enthusing new generations, and engendering a lasting sense of pride in their surroundings.’
ANOTHER CANNABIS FACTORY FOUND
Police raided a Caerleon house and uncovered a cannabis factory yesterday (Thursday, March 6). Officers discovered around 200 cannabis plants in a three-bedroom rented property in Roman Way. It is estimated the street value of cannabis grown in the house could total around £100,000 per year.
A drugs warrant was executed at 12.30pm after Gwent Police received information from a member of the public. Officers forced their way into the house and found mature plants and hydroponic growing equipment in the downstairs living room and two upstairs bedrooms. Sergeant Jim Neesam said enquiries continue and no arrests have been made in relation to the discovery.
RECORDS OFFICE TO MOVE TO EBBW VALE
The records office covering the former county of Gwent (and prior to that Monmouthshire) seems set to move from County Hall, Cwmbran to a purpose built site in Ebbw Vale following recent decisions made by the local authorities involved. Newportonians face a round trip of over forty miles to trace information including genealogical records. Newport City Council will be making their decision at the Cabinet Meeting on March 11.
APPEAL OVER ASSAULT IN MARKET STREET
Police are appealing for information to a serious assault that occurred in Newport on Sunday 24th February. It happened at approximately 7.30pm in the Crosskeys Public House in Market Street. The two male victims, white in their early thirties from the Newport area, were assaulted inside the premises by three males. It's believed the victims were speaking to the offenders prior to the assault. One of the victims suffered serious facial and head injuries and the other victim a fractured wrist and facial injuries. The three white male offenders are described as all about 5'8" in height, 2 were of a stocky build and the other has been described as slim. Following the assault they left the pub and went in the direction of the High Street
