Midland Bluebird Confirms Service 52 will Continue Serving Menstrie during Bridge Closure

Midland Bluebird has confirmed that Service 52 will continue to serve Menstrie during the forthcoming A91 bridge closure at Blairlogie.

Following further discussions with stakeholders, buses will travel along Main Street West and turn at the roundabout, removing the need for the replacement shuttle planned to be operated by Wee County Bus.

A temporary emergency timetable will be introduced to accommodate the longer diversion and expected congestion during the closure.

The company acknowledged residents’ concerns but expressed significant frustration at the short notice provided by Stirling Council of the planned bridge works.

Graeme Leslie, Area Director at McGill’s Midland Bluebird said: “We understand how important Service 52 is to Menstrie residents, particularly those who depend on it for work, appointments and everyday journeys. Buses will continue along Main Street West and turn at the roundabout, so a separate shuttle will no longer be required.

“Operating an amended route in this way was our original intention. Following further discussions with stakeholders, and recognising the concerns raised by residents and Keith Brown MSP, we are now confirming how the service will operate during the closure.

“We would, however, put on record that we were afforded just three weeks between first notification of this work taking place and the closure taking effect. That is grossly inappropriate notice for works of this type, given the substantial planning required to maintain reliable bus services.

“We would normally need three months for such a major closure in order to prepare a revised timetable, test it through simulations, plan staffing requirements, compile driver rosters and allocate buses across services. This work is essential to producing a timetable that passengers can rely on.

“Services 51, 52 and 38 are linked operationally, so the effects of this closure extend beyond Menstrie. Accommodating the longer diversion and additional congestion requires changes that will also affect passengers elsewhere in the Forth Valley.

“Our priority throughout has been to maintain access for passengers and minimise disruption as far as possible. We appreciate their patience while we introduce these temporary arrangements at short notice.”

 When the closure begins on Tuesday October 20, Midland Bluebird will initially operate its normal timetable, although passengers should expect potential disruption from the longer diversion and additional traffic.

From Monday October 26, a revised temporary emergency timetable will operate for the remainder of the bridge closure. The works are expected to finish on Friday November 27.

Departure times on Services 51 and 52 will differ from the normal timetable. Passengers should check Midland Bluebird’s mobile app and website for exact departure times. Printed timetables at bus stops will not be updated during this temporary period.

The emergency timetable will temporarily suspend the arrangements linking Services 51, 52 and 38 that allow passengers to remain on the same bus for through journeys to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. These through journeys from Services 51 and 52 will be unavailable until the normal timetable is reinstated.

Passengers travelling to the hospital can change buses at Stirling Bus Station or use direct H1 or H2 services where these are available for their journey.