COUNCIL chiefs are hoping half-price bus fares in Evesham will be just the ticket to get people using public transport while Abbey Bridge is closed.

From Monday, September 2, until the end of the year, people will be able to travel to and from Evesham town centre for half the usual cost in a move by Worcestershire County Council to reduce the number of people using cars during the work to replace the bridge and viaduct, particularly while the route is closed for 10 weeks from mid-September.

Councillor John Smith, county council cabinet member for Highways and Transport and county councillor for Evesham North West, said: “Replacing the Abbey Bridge will ensure our town remains open for business in the future but it’s very important that people continue to support shops and businesses whilst the project is completed.

“This half-price bus fare promotion, the first of its kind in Worcestershire, is fantastic news. There will be some congestion during the essential 10-week closure of the bridge to traffic from mid-September but people can play their part and help with the solution by making alternative travel arrangements, which includes taking the bus.”

A leaflet with information on all bus services is included with this week’s Evesham Journal and a new web page has been set up at worcestershire.gov.uk/ abbeybridge.

Coun Bob Banks, county member for Evesham South, added: “The Abbey Bridge and Viaduct replacement project is progressing well and we're now just weeks away from the essential 10-week full closure.

“I'd like to express my thanks to everyone who has been supporting our town and would like to ask them to continue to do so as things move on.”

The half-price discount will apply to all tickets offered by operators with an origin or destination anywhere in Evesham town centre, except the service run by Castleways Coaches, number 559, which will offer the discount on adult and child single fares only. The half-price offer does not apply to Connecta or Severn Card fares, or higher value multi-journey tickets offered by some operators.

For more information visit eveshamjournal.co.uk/disruption.