HS2 funds to deliver new bus shelters for Banburyshire village

£10,000 HS2 grant helps fund replacement of South Northamptonshire village’s 40-year old wooden shelters

HS2’s Community and Environment Fund (CEF) has provided £10,000 towards the cost of two new bus shelters in Farthinghoe, following a successful application from the village’s parish council.

The new shelters will replace old wooden structures that have served the community for more than 40 years. The new weather-resistant shelters will keep passengers dry when it rains and shaded in the heat of the summer sun.

The shelters, supplied by Berkshire-based Externiture Ltd, will be fitted with two seats, a space for a pushchair or pram and notice boards to help keep the community up to date with local news and events.

Farthinghoe Parish Council Chairman Cllr Mick Morris said: “Farthinghoe Parish Council would like to thank the Community & Environment Fund for the much valued assistance which they have provided to enable the installation of these valuable long term assets.

“There has been a really positive reaction within the village to the installation of these new bus shelters and we hope that it will encourage a greater use of this bus service in the future, especially as it now gives direct access to the newly establish Brackley Medical Centre & Hospital."

Since the HS2 Community and Business Funds were launched in 2017, 18 projects in the Northamptonshire have shared over £825,000. Projects have ranged from village hall restoration to providing new playground equipment in areas that may be disrupted by the construction of HS2.

Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds, said: “I am pleased that Farthinghoe Parish Council has been successful in its application to provide two new, modern bus shelters for the village’s community.

“The new shelters will help make sustainable public transport a more attractive way to travel throughout the area as well as enable a channel to communicate with local people via new notice boards. I encourage other community projects to find out more about the HS2 Funds and the tangible benefits they offer."

With construction of HS2 having started applications for the HS2 Phase One Community & Environment Fund, and the Business & Local Business Fund are still welcome. The Funds are independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK.