THE managing director of First Worcestershire says the service doesn’t have an image problem and says changes to the buses serving Henwick will help resolve resident’s concerns.

Nigel Eggleton was speaking at a tea and pastry morning, where changes were being promoted and residents raised concerns on the services. From this weekend First Worcester is increasing frequency, with services serving Henwick operating up to every 20 minutes during the day - an increase from the previous 30 minutes. One of the reason for the frequency increase is that buses have been at capacity, due to weight restrictions on the bridge on Comer Road.

Mr Eggleton said the services, operating under new route numbers 31U during University of Worcester term times, and 31A at other times and departing from Stand E at Crowngate Bus Station would help deal with the problems residents have raised.

“We are hearing about the various problems residents have suffered since the service was changed at the end of October," he said.

“Our team will give every effort to achieve (every 20 minutes) - but with the level of congestion in the city at the moment, there will be times we struggle to achieve that.”

Worcestershire County Council leader Simon Geraghty added there had been a good turn out for event, and they would continue to work with the operator for a bus service people would be happy with.

"This is one of the first times we have done a street surgery," he said.

"Last time some of the changes raised concerns. There was a perception the university was getting served by a better bus service than the community, and there were lots of changes to the stops.

"This time around, the frequency is getting better, we are getting out there so people know that."