Janners fume as new £29m Plymouth crematorium left without bus links

None of the bus companies serving Plymouth are prepared to run services to the new crematorium, which has just opened in Plympton and the city council has said it can't afford to fund a service

PlymouthLive readers are unhappy with the news that mourners will not be able to take a bus to Plymouth's new £29m crematorium, The Park. No bus companies in Plymouth are willing to provide services to the newly opened facility in Plympton.

Plymouth City Council has also admitted it lacks the funds to support a service, leaving the situation unresolved. The council stated it would keep the situation "under review" and assess if there is sufficient demand for buses to the Merafield Road facility.

Opposition Tory councillors expressed their disappointment and urged the ruling Labour administration to negotiate with bus companies. They argued that the absence of public transport to the crematorium will only promote car usage, contradicting what they labelled as Labour's "anti-car agenda".

A spokesperson for the Council explained: "It is our understanding that none of Plymouth's bus operators are currently looking to provide a commercial bus link to the new facility. This means that any service would need to be funded by the council and become part of our tendered bus network. The council's tendered bus service budget is currently fully allocated and hence we are not in a position to financially support the bus link at the moment."

Commenter Luck69 says: “Typical Council with their outlook. It's hard to keep everyone happy, but short-sighted is the word. Can't and won't fund this, yet they fund some ridiculous projects with some not even finished! Reduce carbon - so what about a train/tram service across Billacombe and along the old railway line?

"Plympton has the main line running through it for station opportunities. Sherford has bus routes so make the route go past the crematorium and do a u-turn just over the bridge, where the turning is for Ridge Road. This would add 5 mins to the journey, max. Options!”

Billwizz writes: “The location is situated between Plympton and Plymstock and surprisingly, there has never been a transportation service connecting these two areas. Since buses already operate to Sherford, it would be feasible to make a slight detour with one of these buses to provide service to the crematorium surely? Or, is that way too simple to even consider?”

Barnacle Bill points out: “Sherford is the nearest bus to this location, but then there is no safe pedestrian access to this facility unless you walk along Haye Road which has no footpath. This is not only about mourners, but also for those who find solace in visiting their loved one’s resting place.”

Duncs adds: “Things you couldn't make up, new £29 million public facility with no public transport links or even a pavement. Unbelievable!”

AJGreen disagrees: “It’s a bit early in the life of the crematorium to moan about public transport? Does anybody need a bus to go to a funeral? Maybe, if they do, and if demand is sufficient, they could run a route from the City Centre, through Plympton towards Sherford and Elburton with the Crematorium stop on the way but I personally think that the demand isn't, and won't be, enough to justify it. Who rides a bus in mourning suits?”

Twopugs retorts: “”Who rides a bus in mourning suits?” A person who wants to attend a funeral as a sign of respect for the deceased! Times have changed. There isn't a dress code, the average person will wear smart clothes or even bright colours. Some people have no choice but to use public transport. Not all individuals have access to a car, own a car or can afford a private hire. Poorly thought out site for a crematorium in our city.”

Bamboozledbyitall thinks: “I suppose one can always book a taxi to get to this venue with the lack of a bus service. However, there's the problem of getting back home again. If there's a wake, you'd have to try to cadge a lift off one of the other mourners or phone another taxi and hang around.”

Timmy123 says: “I don't think Plymouth City Council thought the location of the new crematorium through very well. Perhaps it would have been better to have been built somewhere in the north of Plymouth, maybe on the old airport site?”

Albertgate replies: “I can’t imagine that anybody living in Higher Southway, Derriford or Roborough would want a crematorium., It's new location is in a well thought out place, easily accessible, it’s picturesque and peaceful with tranquil surroundings. In the nicest possible way, a lovely place for a final journey.”

How do you feel about the location of the new crematorium? Is a bus service a must? Have your say in our comments section.