HOP ABOARD A BOOMERANG FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Published by webmaster for Salisbury District Council in Communities

People living in villages along the Wylye valley can pop into Salisbury to do their Christmas shopping by using the Boomerang shared car service.

The Wylye Valley Boomerang operational area stretches from Heytesbury to South Newton. Journeys can be booked on request between any of the villages in the Wylye Valley, or from these villages to bus stops in the area for connections along the A36 with the 2, X4 and X5 services to Salisbury, Warminster, Trowbridge, Devizes or Bath.

The service runs every Monday to Saturday and bookings can be made for any time between 9am and 6pm. There is no service on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

The Boomerang vehicle is wheelchair accessible and will carry up to five people, or four seated people and a wheelchair user.

This service, which began in September, charges a flat fare of only £1 per journey.

All journeys have to be pre-booked at least 48 hours before travel by calling the dedicated booking line on 01722 332121 between 9am and 12 midday.

The Boomerang operator can advise customers of the times of connecting buses at various stops along the Wylye Valley and will be happy to co-ordinate journeys with any of the main bus routes.

As well as linking to the main bus stops, the service also runs directly to the Wilton doctors’ surgery.

Cllr Dennis Brown, Salisbury District Council portfolio holder for emvironment and transport said; “This is a welcome initiative which should help to reduce rural isolation and provide a cheap and effective way of getting around the area.

“And at this time of year, it offers a great opportunity to come into Salisbury for Christmas shopping or just to to sample the festive atmosphere.”

The Boomerang service is operated by Salisbury District Community Transport and managed by Wiltshire County Council. It is funded through a Department for Transport Rural Bus Challenge.

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Press release issued: November 10 2006