Coastal 14A

Blackpool Transport's service changes commenced yesterday, 1 February, reducing early morning and late evening services in particular. Three route sections were removed and have been replaced by Lancashire County Council interventions involving the diversion of other routes:

Line 2 Hardhorn Corner - this has been replaced by a diversion of service 75 between Singleton and Poulton Holts Lane via Station Road and Hardhorn Road - probably the first bus service to use this route under the very low bridge at the site of the former Singleton Station

Line 7 Mythop Road, Lytham - Stagecoach 68 now diverts via Saltcotes Road, Mythop Road and Park View Road - replicating the deregulation day scenario when Fylde withdrew from Mythop Road in favour of the Ribble service to Preston (167).

Line 14 Evenings only between St. Annes and Blackpool. This has been replaced by a new Coastal Coaches service 14A on an hourly basis departing St. Annes Square at 1915 to 2315 and Blackpool Market St from 2000 to 2300. Two buses are needed with a generous 37 minutes layover at St. Annes - which could be used to provide a half hourly short working to Spring Gardens!

Coastal's operation is the first instance of another operator providing contracted journeys on an otherwise Blackpool Transport corridor since the take-over of Fylde.