Parish Plan 2022
Survey responses from employers identified lack of public transport as being a significant problem as it meant they could not recruit staff.

Abbotsbury Village Meeting – December 2023
34 people present at the December 2023 Village meeting held at Strangways Village Hall. The proposal to resurrect the Bus Shelter project was presented. With support from the attendees.

Feedback.
To progress the Bus Shelter further:

• Permissions required for the site
• Design for the building
• Planning Permission.

Abbotsbury Village Meeting – 21st February 2024
20 people present at the second Village meeting held at Strangways Village Hall.
The Design was presented and a progress update was provided.

Village Over 50’s Lunch – August 2024

23 people were present at the August 2024 Over 50’s Luncheon held at Strangways Village Hall. Attendees were surveyed and asked to provide Yes/No responses to four questions.

Question	Yes	Percentage
Question	Yes	Percentage
Do You Use the Bus Service	15	64%
Are You Reliant on the Bus Service	10	43%
Are You Aware of RTI Service	13	56%
Do You Use the RTI Service	6	26%

This demonstrated that a significant percentage of older Village residents use the bus with 43% reliant on the bus service.

There was good awareness of the First Bus Real Time Information (RTI) service, with 56% of villagers aware of the RTI Service. It was notable that only 6 users were able to use the service because access to the RTI service requires a smart phone (IOS or Android).

It was pointed out that multiple other groups were unable to use the current RTI service:

1. Young People, as they required data plans on their phones, which many did not have;
2. Visually impaired People, as the RTI app required good eyesight;
3. Visitors to the Village, as there was no awareness of the RTI service;
4. lderly and Low-Income people, as they cannot afford or use a Smart Phone.

Feedback:
Unanimously positive and supportive of the project.

Project Need Conclusion
Despite most of the data being collected over 14 years ago, there is strong evidence that the Abbotsbury Villagers consider the Bus Service to be important. This is supported by meetings and surveys conducted recently in the village.

There is only anecdotal evidence of Bus Service take-up, i.e. how many people use the service. The Bus service has improved with the addition of the seasonal X52 Jurassic Coaster Service and there is a suspicion that the increase in frequency of the X53 and X52 services has resulted in an increase in Bus Service utilisation.

There is no data on Visitor (Tourist) behaviours or requirements. The Project would benefit from data sets that collate bus service usage by:

• Journey Start and End point;
• Journey Date and Time;
• Ticket Type (child, normal, concessionary, season ticket).

The AMBUSH Project is reliant on DCC (Dorset County Council) and the First Bus service to provide this data.

It is believed that by offering a better and more frequent Bus Service there will be greater take-up of Public Transport. The Bus Shelter is only one facet of that service, but it is an important one.

This project has been designed to be a replicable demonstrator so that other villages in Dorset and across the UK can copy the approach – with all the benefits.

Project Timelines
Pre – Project (December 2023 – December 2024)

• Consultation Exercises;
• Planning and Preparation, defining build details, obtaining planning consents, obtaining costings, agreeing all activities with stakeholders – DCC, Abbotsbury Parish Council, Ilchester Estates, Swan Inn, Community, First Bus;
• Securing Finance and Grant applications
• Confirm requirements and deliverables with DCC, Abbotsbury Parish Council, Ilchester Estates, Swan Inn, Community
• Recruit Local Volunteers to support the Project and the Post Project Operational Maintenance activities.

Project Build Start (16th May -30th August)

• Dig out footings;
• Lay foundations and concrete pad;
• Build Walls;
• Roof and Tile;
• Build and Install interior Furniture;
• Install electrics and fittings (PIR activated light);
• Handover Bus Shelter operational responsibilities to Chesil Bank Parish Council;
• Handover Bus Shelter Maintenance activities to Local Volunteers.
• Project Build End (30th August 2025)

Project Post Build (1st September – 1st December 2025)

• Monitoring activities;
• Survey Bus Users;
• Liaise, document and provide inputs to DCC BSIP team.

Build Cost
Five local building firms have been asked to provide quotations for building the bus shelter. Quotes received varied between £20,000 and £40,000.

Even the lowest quote of £20,000 was a lot of money, so we decided that with the help of local professional builders and local volunteers we would go ahead and build the shelter ourselves.

The Land Cost
The Ilchester Estates very kindly granted permission to use this land for the purpose of a Bus Shelter.

Ownership and Governance – Pre and Post Project
This project is being managed on a “For the Community’ basis using the Chesil Bank Traders Association CIC as the delivery vehicle. Formal handover of the Bus Shelter to the Chesil Bank Parish Council will take place at project build end.

Public Liability Insurance
This will be obtained as a Project Activity at Project commencement and for the duration of the project (1st May 2025 to 1st December 2025).

Formal handover of the Bus Shelter to the Chesil Bank Parish Council will take place at project build end (estimated 1st August 2025) and the PL insurance responsibility will devolve to the Parish Council.

Note: The responsibility for Public Liability Insurance was confirmed and minuted at the Chesil Bank Parish Council public meeting, held at the Abbotsbury Strangways Village Hall 2nd September 2024.

Local Authority Engagement
Parish
To date LA discussions have been focused at a very local level with the Chesil Bank Parish Council (CBPC). CBPC are highly supportive and have:

• Allocated £5,000 towards the project costs;
• Nominated a Parish Councillor (Lorraine Dalley) as the Point of Contact (POC) and local Project Champion, with an additional Parish Councillors informed and monitoring progress (Peter Reid);
• Agreed to accept long term responsibility for the Insurance and Maintenance of the Bus Shelter once the Project has been delivered.

County
Informal discussions have been had with County Council Highways team, who have been very supportive and encouraging.

It is expected that engagement with the BSIP delivery team will benefit both the BSIP and the AMBUSH activities.

The AMBUSH Project team believe that this project can be replicated elsewhere along the X53/X52 Jurassic Coast Bus Route and potentially across other routes in Dorset.

National
The County BSIP activities will feed into the National Bus Service Improvement Plans. This is a DCC responsibility and activity; however, we believe the AMBUSH project would create a useful demonstrator of an approach that could be replicated nationally.

The AMBUSH Project is closely aligned with the key objectives and strategic goals outlined in the Dorset Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The BSIP, developed under the framework of the National Bus Strategy, aims to revitalize local bus services, increase passenger numbers, and improve the overall public transport network across Dorset. Below are the specific ways in which the AMBUSH Project supports and enhances the objectives of the Dorset BSIP:

1. Enhancing Public Transport Infrastructure
One of the core objectives of the Dorset BSIP is to improve the infrastructure that supports public transport, ensuring that bus services are reliable, accessible, and convenient. The AMBUSH Project contributes directly to this objective by providing a well-designed and strategically located bus shelter in Abbotsbury. This shelter will protect passengers from adverse weather conditions, improve waiting times, and enhance the overall experience for bus users, thereby encouraging greater use of the bus services.

2. Increasing Bus Service Utilisation
The Dorset BSIP aims to increase the number of people using local bus services by improving the frequency, reliability, and accessibility of these services. The AMBUSH Project aligns with this goal by offering a key piece of infrastructure that will likely increase the attractiveness and utilization of bus services in Abbotsbury, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those without access to private vehicles. Additionally, the shelter will serve tourists and visitors, further boosting bus patronage in the area.

3. Supporting Rural Transport Connectivity
A significant focus of the Dorset BSIP is to enhance transport connectivity in rural areas, where residents often face challenges due to the limited availability of public transport. Abbotsbury, being a rural village, benefits from the AMBUSH Project as it directly addresses the need for improved transport facilities in rural communities. By providing a reliable and comfortable waiting area, the project encourages the use of public transport, which is crucial for reducing rural isolation and promoting sustainable travel.

4. Data Collection and Contribution to BSIP Goals
The AMBUSH Project includes a post-construction monitoring phase that will collect data on bus service utilization and passenger demographics. This data will be invaluable to Dorset Council as it seeks to refine and implement the BSIP. Insights gained from the project will help in understanding passenger needs and behaviours, contributing to more effective planning and deployment of resources in future BSIP initiatives.

5. Promoting Environmental Sustainability
The Dorset BSIP emphasizes the importance of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transport options. By encouraging greater use of public transport through improved infrastructure, the AMBUSH Project indirectly supports environmental sustainability goals. Reducing reliance on private vehicles in favour of bus services will contribute to lowering the carbon footprint in the region, aligning with Dorset’s broader environmental targets.

6. Community Involvement and Local Support
The Dorset BSIP highlights the importance of community involvement in the development and implementation of transport improvements. The AMBUSH Project has been shaped by significant local input, with strong support from the Abbotsbury community and Chesil Bank Parish Council. This community-driven approach is in line with the BSIP’s emphasis on ensuring that transport solutions meet the specific needs of local populations.

BSIP Summary
The AMBUSH Project is a strategic initiative that not only addresses the immediate needs of the Abbotsbury community but also contributes to the broader objectives of the Dorset Bus Service Improvement Plan. By enhancing public transport infrastructure, supporting rural connectivity, and promoting sustainable travel, the project serves as a model that can be replicated in other rural communities across Dorset and beyond, thereby potentially playing a critical role in the success of the BSIP.

The AMBUSH (Abbotsbury Millennium Bus Shelter) Project Plan is an initiative aimed at addressing a critical need for a bus shelter in Abbotsbury, while also honouring the historical significance of King Canute’s gifting of the lands of the village.

The project has garnered significant local support, particularly among residents who rely on the bus service. The data collected, although some of it is dated, suggests a strong community interest in improving public transport infrastructure, which is bolstered by the recent introduction of new bus services like the X52 Jurassic Coaster.

In conclusion, the AMBUSH Project is not only a practical solution to a local transport issue but also a potential model that could be replicated in other communities across Dorset and beyond. Its alignment with historical, community, and environmental values further strengthens the project’s appeal and likelihood of success. Continued engagement with local stakeholders and authorities, alongside the acquisition of additional data on bus service usage, will be key to ensuring the project meets its objectives and provides lasting benefits to the community.