TRAVELLERS shopping or living in the centre of Ulverston will have to cross the busy A590 to access the 6 and X6 bus services between Barrow and Kendal. 

This is because of one of several changes to the services that Stagecoach will bring in from November 6. 

Stagecoach argues that these changes will double the frequency of buses between Barrow and Kendal via Ulverston, which will now operate hourly. 

A spokesperson from the bus operator said: "This improved connectivity along the Furness Peninsula means even more people will be able to take advantage of the £2 maximum single fare with more journeys than before."

However, it will also change how the service operates for some stops.

The most major difference from the current service is that 6 and X6 will no longer stop at County Square in Ulverston.

The spokesperson continued: "To improve the reliability of services around Ulverston, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw services from County Square. Buses will now instead stop a very short distance away on Victoria Road.

"This is primarily due to us encountering delays to services because of parked cars and delivery vehicles which frequently delay services passing through the square, plus a long wait for traffic light cycles."

Another change is how the buses will operate through Swarthmoor on Sundays. There will still be an hourly service to Croftlands Estate on Sundays, but on this day only the service will not operate along a short stretch of the A590 between Swarthmoor roundabout and Victoria Road. 

The spokesperson said that this was: "To avoid services operating a lengthy out and back loop and therefore to keep the journey times attractive for through passengers."

They also said that the Monday to Saturday service will continue to operate with some minor changes to times to offer more journeys to Windermere.

Ulverston town councillor Mark Wilson said he was 'desperately sad to see these plans.' He said: "Many residents who have mobility issues need the bus to come to centre of town. The A590 is very difficult to cross." 

Resident Allen Rodgers, who raised the issue on a popular Ulverston social media group, said: "It will make life difficult for many people going back up to Croftlands. It's no problem for me to walk another 100 yards to Victoria Road but not good news for those with shopping and kids to cross the A590."