MASSIVE congestion in Worcestershire Royal Hospital's car park is set to ease after the announcement of a new bus service straight from the park-and-ride.

First have also announced that they plan to increase the frequency of Number 44 buses from Malvern to Worcester, from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes.

The bus service will now go via County Hall and Worcester Sixth Form College, both popular destinations for commuters.

This morning, bus operator First, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, said a new Number 36 bus will run to the hospital from the park-and-ride North site in Perdiswell via Bilford Road, Warndon and Warndon Villages.

Last year, WI volunteers who take patients to the hospital told the Worcester News how infuriated they were with the poor

parking.

Today, Silvia Beardshaw, a member of the executive that runs the Worcestershire Federation of Women's Institute, welcomed the changes.

"The service is very greatly received," said Mrs Beardshaw.

And Brian Hunt, chairman of the Worcester City Forum for Older People, said he was fully behind the service.

"We have been campaigning hard as have the residents who live in that part of Worcester," he said. "It's a good step forward."

A spokeswoman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We welcome any initiative to improve public transport to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for patients, visitors and staff. We are committed to working with Worcestershire County Council and bus companies to improve services to all our hospitals."

These service changes, which came about following the Bus and Information Strategy agreed in 2003, and are due to take effect from Sunday, June 12.

"First is committed to providing a safe and reliable bus service for Worcester," said Ian Humphreys, managing director for First's bus operations in Worcester.

"I am pleased that this new link provides a real alternative to the car for customers who do not want to drive to work."

MASSIVE congestion in Worcestershire Royal Hospital's car park is set to ease after the announcement of a new bus service straight from the park-and-ride.

First have also announced that they plan to increase the frequency of Number 44 buses from Malvern to Worcester, from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes.

The bus service will now go via County Hall and Worcester Sixth Form College, both popular destinations for commuters.

This morning, bus operator First, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, said a new Number 36 bus will run to the hospital from the park-and-ride North site in Perdiswell via Bilford Road, Warndon and Warndon Villages.

Last year, WI volunteers who take patients to the hospital told the Worcester News how infuriated they were with the poor

parking.

Today, Silvia Beardshaw, a member of the executive that runs the Worcestershire Federation of Women's Institute, welcomed the changes.

"The service is very greatly received," said Mrs Beardshaw.

And Brian Hunt, chairman of the Worcester City Forum for Older People, said he was fully behind the service.

"We have been campaigning hard as have the residents who live in that part of Worcester," he said. "It's a good step forward."

A spokeswoman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We welcome any initiative to improve public transport to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for patients, visitors and staff. We are committed to working with Worcestershire County Council and bus companies to improve services to all our hospitals."

These service changes, which came about following the Bus and Information Strategy agreed in 2003, and are due to take effect from Sunday, June 12.

"First is committed to providing a safe and reliable bus service for Worcester," said Ian Humphreys, managing director for First's bus operations in Worcester.

"I am pleased that this new link provides a real alternative to the car for customers who do not want to drive to work."48