CHANGES to bus timetables and routes in Whitchurch and Overton have attracted criticism from residents in the area – just days after being introduced.

Bus company, Stagecoach, implemented a series of major changes to both the 76 and 86 bus services on August 30 following an announcement made by the travel operators.

The changes, which effect route 76 from Andover to Basingstoke and the 86 which travels between Overton and Winchester, will result in the 76 now running half-hourly and serving a different route between Andover and Whitchurch.

The route will now stop in the new Picket Twenty development before continuing to Whitchurch where it will travel through The Square, Bell Street, Evingar Road, Station Hill and the top of Newbury Road before following the same route through Overton and terminating at Basingstoke train station.

Meanwhile the 86 will run a reduced service, using Pond Close, in Overton, as a turning-point before returning to Winchester through London Road in Whitchurch.

Brian Langer, transport representative for Overton, was one of those to criticise the changes.

He said: “Whitchurch have lost their London Road route.

“The other major concern is the frequency of buses to Winchester and the fact that people with concessionary tickets in Overton won’t be able to get a bus to Basingstoke until 9.46am, due also in part to Hampshire County Council changes, whereas six months ago they could leave at 9am.”

A spokesman for Stagecoach defended the changes, claiming the new 76 routes were to avoid “ongoing disruptions” in London Road and that the new service would bring a “number of benefits” to customers.