STAGECOACH is planning to change a bus route through Whitchurch.

The company intends to make a various changes to route 76 based on a “long in depth analysis of passenger trends and the potential for future development of the route.”

Alex O’Loughlin, marketing manager for Stagecoach South, said: “These changes will bring a number of benefits to the route including buses up to every 30 minutes and improved connections to buses and trains.

“There are some aspects of our plans which we understand will not be popular with everyone, particularly our intention to run the route through Lynch Hill Park in Whitchurch.

“However, we believe that seeing the new route in operation will give us a much better understanding of the practicalities of this diversion and help us in overcoming some of the worries we have been listening to so far.”

The 76 will start operating its new route on August 30 when Stagecoach will monitor its progress.

Mrs O’Loughlin added: “At the same time we will work with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to ensure a full and proper consultation is undertaken.

“We are keen to work with the council on this and our intention is to be able to deliver route 76 which our customers and the residents and Whitchurch alike will be happy with.”

The route will see the 76 serve The Square, Bell Street, Evingar Road, Station Hill and the top of Newbury Road, as it does now.

It will then turn to serve Dances Lane and Lynch Hill Park towards London Road.

From here buses will continue the same line of route until it reaches Basingstoke railway station and the bus station in Festival Place.

Returning buses will follow the same route through Overton and Whitchurch.

Councillor Keith Watts, who represents Whitchurch at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, is urging residents to comment on the proposed changes. He said: “These changes will leave no bus link from Winchester Road to the station and that no buses to Basingstoke will stop near Kings Walk nor by the White Hart.

“Passengers for Basingstoke from Winchester Road, London Street or London Road will have to take an 86 bus then change to 76 in Laverstoke or Overton.”

To comment on the changes email south.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com.