Press & Media coverage

A Letter from a local Boyatt Wood resident:

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"..there is no direct bus from Eastleigh. We have no alternative to go to Eastleigh train station to Winchester train station and bus up to RHCH. This can cause great stress. There must be many people in the same position and have no option than to use public transport. "

A Letter from a local Allbrook resident:

"...This bus service was withdrawn back in the summer of 2025, which has meant that there is now no direct bus route between the neighbouring towns of Winchester and Eastleigh. The loss of this bus No 61 has created hardship for many senior citizens, "

"A campaign to reinstate a Winchester bus route has been launched by residents, councillors and transport campaigners. The meeting took place in Colden Common on Wednesday October 8, where the group discussed the return of the 61 service and the rerouting of the 69....

"More than 100 people have gathered to protest against a council's decision to pull funding for a community bus. Residents gathered at the Colden Common Community Centre, near Winchester, saying the decision was "just appalling" - and that the closure "affects people of all ages"..

A Letter from a local Twyford resident:

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"I almost had to laugh when I read the story in the Chronicle about the £52m that Hampshire County Council has received to improve bus services, and Lulu Bowerman’s statement that they will be able to “invest in services that are more frequent, cleaner and more reliable, bringing real benefits for residents”...

"Hampshire County Council has secured more than £52m in Government funding to improve bus services across the county. The funding includes £27.2m in capital investment from the Department for Transport (DfT) and £24.9m in revenue funding. It will be paid over four years, starting in 2026/27 financial year.

The money will be used to improve services and encourage more people to travel by bus."

"The 61 service, which links Eastleigh with Winchester, was axed last week by Hampshire County Council. The decision has sparked criticism from Eastleigh MP, Liz Jarvis, who said the government must act to "support affordable and reliable bus routes now". She said the removal of the service "will make life significantly harder" for her constituents..."

"Despite the efforts of the district and county councillors, the 61 bus route between will be axed. This means residents of Colden Common, Twyford, Allbrook, and Boyatt Wood will lose direct bus links to Eastleigh and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. The route was noted for having high projected usage figures for the future.."