Renewed appeal for Bury St Edmunds bus service bid to replace Marham Park Flyer

A renewed appeal has been made for residents of a Bury St Edmunds estate to support a funding bid to replace an axed shuttle bus service.

Last Tuesday, SuffolkNews reported on a £234,000 funding request made to Suffolk County Council to replace the Marham Park Flyer.

Cllr Frank Stennett, who represents St Olaves ward, is asking for the money as its loss would leave the estate without access to public transport, which he feared would leave residents isolated and have a negative impact on the town centre.

If approved, it would see the existing service from the Westley estate extended to cover Marham Park as well as the Priors and Mildenhall Road estates, offering regular town centre access for as many as 6,500 people.

The closing period for residents to make their representations is mid-June, although Cllr Stennett said there was no confirmed date.

He said: “My message to residents is that if you use the bus service, you have until next week to make your voice heard.

“From what I’ve seen there has been strong support for it across the estate, and people writing in gives it a better chance of succeeding.”

The Marham Park Flyer was introduced in 2021 and will make its last service on Saturday.

Funding would secure the vital lifeline’s future for two years, operating six days per week.

Anyone wishing to support the Marham Park scheme should write to Simon Barnett (simon.barnett@suffolk.gov.uk) and Cllr Chris Chambers (chris.chambers@suffolk.gov.uk).