STAGECOACH is planning to change a bus route through Whitchurch.

The company intends to make 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 running the route through Lynch Hill Park.

“However, we believe seeing the new route in operation will 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.

The bus will serve The Square, Bell Street, Evingar Road, Station Hill and the top of Newbury Road before turning to serve Dances Lane and Lynch Hill Park towards London Road.

Buses will then continue the same line of route until Basingstoke bus station while returning buses will follow the same route through Overton and Whitchurch.

Whitchurch Borough Councillor Keith Watts 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 email south.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com.