Miles Jermy ABUS company has changed the timings of a peak-time service to avoid getting stuck ina notorious traffic blackspot.Swift Taxis introduced alterations to the Number 6 service in a bid to reduce delays on the busy Gapton Hall roundabout.

Miles Jermy

ABUS company has changed the timings of a peak-time service to avoid getting stuck in

a notorious traffic blackspot.

Swift Taxis introduced alterations to the Number 6 service in a bid to reduce delays on the busy Gapton Hall roundabout.

The congestion is so bad that the 5.10pm circular service to Yarmouth railway station via Market Gates Shopping Centre was often late arriving at its destination.

Fleet manager Kevin Boyne said: “The bus was getting stuck for ages at the industrial estate on Hewett Road as so many people are leaving work.

“We cannot afford to spend 20 minutes crawling in traffic only to move a few hundred yards and need to make sure the service is on time.

“The changes were made with the full agreement of Norfolk County Council, which subsidises the service.”

The number 6 will now pick up at 4.23pm and 5.23pm from Hewett Road instead of 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

Mr Boyne rejected criticism that the changes were inconvenient for passengers using the service to get home from work.

“Some people may have to wait longer or leave work a few minutes earlier or later, but we have to make sure the service runs to time and the traffic was delaying us.”

One of those affected by the changes is Gillian Palmer from Nottingham Way, Great Yarmouth, who uses the service to and from her Gapton Hall workplace.

She said: “I don't understand the logic of this at all. The government wants us to use public transport, but, of course, not if you live in Great Yarmouth and work on an industrial estate.

“I will now have to walk home every night, as will many other people who do not own or drive a car, which is not a good prospect in the winter.”