Introduction
This webpage has been produced for residents of Agusta Park, Yeovil to help you travel sustainably in and around the local area. It includes information on walking and cycling routes, bus, coach and train journey timetables and tips for working from home. This bespoke resident’s web page provides links mentioned in the residents Travel Packs making it easier to plan your journey
Did you know the majority of car trips are less than 2 miles and that road traffic in the UK has increased by 30% since 1990? The options highlighted in this pack may help you change the way you travel and could even save you money, your time and help the environment.
How to get around …. Walking
Walking one mile a day burns 100 calories. By doing this, you could lose ten pounds in a year without changing your eating habits.
Walking is an excellent way to get around. It’s free, reliable and a great way to fit regular exercise into your daily routine, no matter what your age or level of fitness. It requires no specialist equipment other than a good pair of walking shoes.
Did you know there is a walking group who meet regularly in your area? ‘Health Walks’ are open to all ages and fitness levels and are a great way to find out more about your area and make new friends. To find out more about the routes, distances and how to join in, visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/healthwalks
There are also a variety of phone apps and fitness trackers on the market that you can use to measure how far you have walked and how many calories you may have burned.
Nearby Yeovil Country Park is 127 acres of woodland, rivers, lakes and open grassland with a children’s play area and excellent open spaces for walking. Visit www.gps-routes.co.uk for cycle/ walking maps including the route which goes to Nine Springs and Goldenstones Leisure Centre.
If you do fancy exploring the local area, walking maps can be downloaded from www.gettingaroundagustapark.co.uk
How to get around – Cycling
People who cycle regularly in mid-adulthood typically enjoy a level of fitness equivalent to someone 10 years younger and their life expectancy is two years above the average
Somerset is a wonderful county for cycling – it is a fantastic way to travel, being quicker than walking (and sometimes driving) and cheaper than running a car. It is also a great leisure pastime and a free way of getting to work with health, environmental, social and financial benefits.
If you are thinking of buying a bike to commute to work, check with your employer to see if they have signed up to the national Cycle to Work Scheme www.cyclescheme.co.uk which provides loans to help employees buy their own bike and make further savings on bike equipment.
To cycle into town travel east towards the Odcombe roundabout. Continue heading east and use the Bluebell Road cycle path (right hand side footpath) towards Bluebell roundabout. At the roundabout cross Bunford Lane and then either take the cycle path straight ahead that runs along the airfield for the town centre or turn right (south) and take the cycle path running along Bundford Lane/Lysander Road which leads to Yeovil Country Park. The Western Corridor will bring additional cycle paths.
Practical information about cycling in and around Agusta Park
- Cycle route signs are generally white on a blue background
- Be visible. You must use front and rear lights after dark and it is advisable to wear a helmet
- Make sure your bike is well maintained and roadworthy
- Check out the Somerset Road Safety website somersetroadsafety.org for advice and courses to keep you safe
To find out more about cycling for leisure and work and get lots of safety tips and advice go to www.travelsomerset.co.uk/cycle For cycle challenges check out Discover South Somerset’s 80 mile cycle route maps www.discoversouthsomerset.com
Bicycle shops in Yeovil:
- Rock & Road Ltd – Lynx Trading Estate
- Mud Sweat n Gears – Lynx Trading Estate
- Tri UK – Lyde Road
How to get around – Public Transport
Travelling by rail, bus or coach can avoid being stuck in congestion and you don’t need to look for a parking space.
Somerset has an extensive public transport network and offers an immediate alternative for individuals to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint.
Taking the Bus
Yeovil is well connected to surrounding towns and villages by bus to the town centre and there are hourly or better bus services to places including Chard, Crewkerne, Sherborne, Wincanton, South Petherton, Somerton, Langport, Taunton, Glastonbury, Wells and Taunton.
South West Coaches Service 81 runs a regular service from Houndstone, New Road (Houndstone Corner stop) into Yeovil, terminating at Yeovil Bus Station.
South Somerset Transport provide a new regular 68 bus services around Yeovil including a half hourly service to Yeovil Junction and Pen Mill rail Stations and connect to other towns from the bus station and to national rail services to London. To find out more visit www.traveline.sw.com and www.nationalrail.co.uk
First Bus www.firstgroup.com/Wessex-dorset-south-somerset also run regular services into the town centre, to other parts of Yeovil and to surrounding towns.
For Yeovil town centre shopping, get off the bus at the Bus Station on Central Road, which is adjacent the Quedam Centre and Vicarage Street Methodist Church.
To get you to the top of the town get off the bus at The Borough. Getting off the bus here will take you to the High Street where you will find banks, Post Office, cafes and shops. After a short walk you will find the library.
To look up timetables, bus stop information and plan your journey, go to www.travelinesw.com or, for the service 81 timetable, go to www.bustimes.org/services/81-south-petherton-montacute-yeovil
English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Passes are available for those who are of pensionable age or eligible on the grounds of disability www.somerset.gov.uk/concessionary.
Practical information about using the bus from Agusta Park:
Your nearest stops are located at:
New Road – with bus shelters on either side of the road.
How to get Around – Community Transport
Community Transport South West
Operates a fleet of 15 wheelchair accessible minibuses, 5 small wheelchair accessible vehicles, and over 40 volunteer car drivers, using their own vehicles. To find out more call 01935 477399 (9am to 5pm) or email info@communitytransport.org.uk
Slinky
Slinky is a door to door demand responsive transport service funded by Somerset County Council for people not served by or unable to access conventional transport, do not have transport or have a disability and cannot access public buses. All the vehicles are accessible. The service can be used for various purposes including getting to local health appointments, or exercise classes, visiting friends or family, going shopping or attending social events. You can also use the Slinky as a link to other forms of public transport.
The service is available to all eligible passengers which could include parents with young children, teenagers, students, the elderly, the retired and people with disabilities.
If you are eligible you will first need to register as a member of the scheme. You can then book a journey by contacting your booking office at least 24 hours before you want to travel. Trips can be booked up to two weeks in advance.
There is a 50% fare for English National Concessionary Travel Scheme passes on all SLINKY services within Somerset. Concessionary Pass Holders and children aged between 5-16 will be entitled to a 50% reduction in the cost of the fare. Children under 5 travel free.
Somerset Student County Tickets are also valid on Slinky services.
To find out more and to register, go to www.travelsomerset.co.uk/slinky or call 01823 331266 The service is available Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
Using mobile phone technology to find your next bus
NextBuses is a mobile internet service which enables you to find bus times on your smartphone (iphone, Android and Windows Phone apps are also available). It allows you to select a bus stop close to where you are and find times for the next buses from that stop. Scheduled bus times are shown if live times are not available. Normal data charges from your mobile phone operator apply. Speed and access to the service is subject to your network connection (www.nextbuses.mobi).
Text:
You can also check the next buses from a particular bus stop by sending the bus stop code in a text to 84268. The bus stop code may be displayed on the bus stop flag or in the timetable case. If the stop has lots of departures, then you can also add the service number you want (leaving a space after the stop code)… so your message might look like “sotdtdpt 3”. You will receive a message back, normally in less than a minute. Typically the message will show a clock time if the information comes from timetables (e.g. 0935) but it will show an expected waiting time (e.g. 5 mins) if it comes from a real-time information system. Remember the service is specific to an individual stop for travel in that one direction… the code for the stop in the other direction will be different. The message you send will cost your normal text message charge. In some areas the reply will be free of charge. In most areas the reply will cost up to 25p.
Traveline’s text number is 84268.
Nearest stop code is:
Sotdmjad Houndstone Corner (W-bound) New Road
Getting on the bus:
- Find the right stop.
- Stopping the bus – check the route number and destination on the front of the bus as it approaches. Raise your arm to show the driver that you want it to stop – it may not stop otherwise.
- Buy your ticket on the bus – choose from a single, return or day ticket for your journey. Quite often day tickets are the cheapest if you are doing two or more journeys that day. Generally a return ticket is the price of 2 singles – unlike the train. Having the correct fare will help the driver who may not have much change. Season tickets may be the cheapest option if you intend to use the bus a lot for your daily commute (these need to be purchased from the bus station or online).
- Getting off the bus – press the bell once in advance of the stop where you want to get off, giving the driver enough time to slow down and stop. Ask the driver for help if you are unsure where to get off the first time. It helps to know how long your journey is supposed to be so that you know roughly how long you should be on the bus for.
To plan your journey visit www.travelinesw.com and use the ‘plan your journey’ tool or, if you have one, use the free Traveline app on your smartphone
How to get around….. Trains
Did you know that cycle parking is available at both Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction stations?
Yeovil has two railway stations on two separate lines serving the town. Yeovil Pen Mill is on the Bristol to Weymouth line and Yeovil Junction is on the Waterloo to Exeter line. South West Trains operate a connecting service between the two from Monday to Friday. Both stations are served by South West Coaches 68 service and ‘PLUSBUS’ tickets (bookable with your train ticket) are available.
For a one-stop shop on information about combining cycle and rail journeys search PlusBike
Practical information about using the trains from Yeovil
- Yeovil Pen Mill railway station is situated to the east of the town centre. Most of the services from the station are operated by Great Western Railway. gwr.com
- A broadly two hourly service operates north to Bristol Temple Meads and to Weymouth, southbound. The station is a 23 minute cycle from Agusta Park.
- Yeovil Junction is the busier of the two railway stations, serving the London Waterloo to Exeter line, and is operated by South West Trains (www.southwesttrains.co.uk). It will take 28 minutes (via Strawberry Line) to cycle there.
Getting on the train
- Look up the times of the trains to your destination – use the various National Rail Enquiry services to get the time of the next train –nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 48 49 50 or smartphone app.
- Buy your ticket – You can order your ticket via the internet, over the phone or at the station before you get the train. Sometimes if the station is unstaffed you can buy the ticket on the train itself. Often buying your ticket at least 24 hours in advance can be much cheaper than buying on the day. Also, there are a variety of railcards and discounts on offer for all age groups including 16-25, Two Together, Family & Friends, Disabled Persons and Senior railcards. Check for details on how to obtain railcards and travel discounts at nationalrail.co.uk
- On the train – Have your ticket to hand as you may be asked to show your ticket more than once during your journey and to go through the barriers once you get off.
How to get around….. Trains
Did you know that cycle parking is available at both Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction stations?
Yeovil has two railway stations on two separate lines serving the town. Yeovil Pen Mill is on the Bristol to Weymouth line and Yeovil Junction is on the Waterloo to Exeter line. South West Trains operate a connecting service between the two from Monday to Friday. Both stations are served by South West Coaches 68 service and ‘PLUSBUS’ tickets (bookable with your train ticket) are available.
For a one-stop shop on information about combining cycle and rail journeys search PlusBike
Practical information about using the trains from Yeovil
- Yeovil Pen Mill railway station is situated to the east of the town centre. Most of the services from the station are operated by Great Western Railway. gwr.com
- A broadly two hourly service operates north to Bristol Temple Meads and to Weymouth, southbound. The station is a 23 minute cycle from Agusta Park.
- Yeovil Junction is the busier of the two railway stations, serving the London Waterloo to Exeter line, and is operated by South West Trains (www.southwesttrains.co.uk). It will take 28 minutes (via Strawberry Line) to cycle there.
Getting on the train
- Look up the times of the trains to your destination – use the various National Rail Enquiry services to get the time of the next train –nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 48 49 50 or smartphone app.
- Buy your ticket – You can order your ticket via the internet, over the phone or at the station before you get the train. Sometimes if the station is unstaffed you can buy the ticket on the train itself. Often buying your ticket at least 24 hours in advance can be much cheaper than buying on the day. Also, there are a variety of railcards and discounts on offer for all age groups including 16-25, Two Together, Family & Friends, Disabled Persons and Senior railcards. Check for details on how to obtain railcards and travel discounts at nationalrail.co.uk
- On the train – Have your ticket to hand as you may be asked to show your ticket more than once during your journey and to go through the barriers once you get off.
How to get around… Coach
Travelling in a modern, air conditioned, spacious and comfortable coach is a fantastic way to see the country while you unwind.
If you don’t fancy taking the train, a cheaper option may be to go by coach. With regular services running to various parts of the country, it can often work out more economical than using the car.
National Express coaches (www.nationalexpress.com) operate a bookable service from Yeovil bus station to many locations across the country including London, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff and Newquay.
Berry’s Coaches provide a twice daily superfast service to London from Yeovil bus station and offer a variety of excursions – www.berryscoaches.co.uk
Taylors Coach Travel (www.taylorscoachtravel.co.uk) run services both within Yeovil and further afield including day trips, theatre trips and sightseeing tours. Information on upcoming tours and trips can be found in the local press.
South West Coaches also run tours and excursions, both home and abroad. To find out more go to www.southwestcoaches.co.uk
National Express journey times from Yeovil Bus Station:
Dorchester – 40 mins Bristol – 1 hr 35 mins Bournemouth – 2 hrs 10 mins Cardiff – 3 hrs 15 mins Birmingham – 4 hours 15 mins London – 4 hrs 40 mins
How to get around….Motorcycle
Even in the busiest places, there is usually a spot to park a bike
Riding a motorcycle can be cheaper to run than a car, and is a more environmentally friendly option. It can reduce travel time for both you and other road users by either by-passing traffic or taking up less road space and therefore reducing congestion.
If you would like to learn to ride a motorcycle, or already have a license but are a bit rusty and require a refresher course, why not take advantage of the discount voucher at the back of this booklet or contact one of the many other motorcycle training schools in Yeovil to see what they offer.
Practical information about travelling by motorcycle
Many car parks have dedicated areas for motorcycles, making parking easier and reducing the risk of any damage happening to the vehicle. Within Yeovil town centre you can find provision for motorcycles at:
- Market Street
- Earle Street
- North Lane
- Petters Way
To find out more visit www.parkopedia.co.uk
If you already own a motorcycle or scooter you may find the following shops useful:
- Morgan Motorcycles – Brympton Way
- Bransons Motorcycles – Pen Mill Trading Estate
- South West Scooters – 5 Central Road
How to get around…. Driving
The average driver spends around £2,300 a year on fuel
Although being able to hop into your car and just drive is very convenient, it may not be the cheapest, fastest or most environmentally friendly option.
In the UK, almost 70 percent of the workforce commuted to work by car during peak times, with the average driver spending 124 hours stuck in gridlock annually, and this is set to rise to 136 hours in 2030, equivalent to 18 working days a year.
There are steps that you can take to reduce the impact of driving on your pocket and the environment. So why not consider some of the ideas below and try something new?
Practical information about travelling by car
- The simplest way is to try to reduce the number of car journeys you need to make. You will find advice on alternatives within this Travel Pack.
- Car sharing with a friend, neighbour or colleague is a good way to help cut your travel costs. If you don’t know anyone personally to share your journey, why not look at liftshare.com.uk which is safe, secure and free of charge.
- Try combining your car journeys, cahttp://www.liftshare.com.ukrrying out several tasks in one journey.
- Try travelling at quieter times of the day, avoiding rush hour if you can.
- Why not use your car for only part of your journey and cycle or walk the rest.
- Look into public transport and walking/cycling routes near your home.
Before you set out on your journey, why not take a look at www.travelsomerset.co.uk. or check out the BBC Travel or AA websites (www.theaa.com/traffic-news/index.jsp), which provide up to date information on any roadworks/closures or delays on your route.
As electric cars are becoming more popular you may wish to read the Beginners Guide to Driving Electric Cars
If you drive an electric car check out this live interactive link to find car charging points in the UK
Reducing travel in other ways…
Thinking carefully about how you travel is important – but it may be that you don’t have to make that journey at all. Cutting the number of journeys you make could save you time, hassle and money and cut out commuting time.
Practical information about working from home
Flexible working (or changing the times you work) and home working (or changing where you work) can have major rewards in terms of lifestyle.
- Why not ask your employer if they can do anything to support flexible and home working. There are a number of rewards that your employer might not be aware of – such as improved staff morale, increased productivity and the potential to provide bigger personal workspaces.
- Can you set up a home office space to work from home, even for just one day a week? Your employer may also be able to help with this.
Practical information about going shopping
Shopping locally and buying locally sourced products is a good way to improve your lifestyle and support local suppliers.
Using a rucksack or panniers on your bike can help you carry your shopping home.
For bigger purchases, why not do your shopping online and have it delivered to your door? This not only avoids having to travel to the shops but also the queues at the tills, and can even save you money by encouraging you to stick to a budget as the cost is tallied up as you go along. Most national supermarkets have an online service.
You could also link up with neighbours for a big shop, taking it in turns to drive, thereby cutting congestion and the cost of fuel.
To find activities, groups or services in your community that can help improve your health and wellbeing go to https://wellbeingsouthsomerset.org/
Practical information about Days Out /Things to do
Instead of getting in the car to enjoy a day out why not take advantage of what is on your doorstep within either walking or cycling distance, or even a short bus ride away? The journey itself then becomes part of the fun e.g. a cycle ride and stopping for lunch or a picnic.
Places to visit locally:
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, BA22 8HT
01935 840565
The Octagon Theatre
Henford, Yeovil, BA20 1UX
01935 422884
ready2climb Adventure Zone
10 Buckland Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, Yeovil, BA21 5EA
01935 413675
Tintinhull Garden
Farm Street, Yeovil, BA22 8PZ
01935 823289
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tintinhull-garden
Yeovil Town Football Club
Huish Park Stadium
Lufton Way, Yeovil, BA22 8YF
01935 423662
Somerset Cider Brandy Company
Pass Vale Farm, Martock, Yeovil, TA12 5BU
01460 240782
Montacute House
Montacute, TA15 6XP
01935 823289
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house
Yeovil Recreation Centre
Chilton Grove/Off Mudford Road, Yeovil, BA21 4AW
01935 462616
Haynes Motor Museum
Sparkford, BA22 7LH
01963 823289
http://www.haynesmotormuseum.com
Yeovil Driving Range
Sherborne Road, Yeovil, BA21 5BW
01935 422965
www.yeovilgolfclub.com/courses/driving
Cineworld Cinema
Yeo Leisure Park, Old Station Park, Yeovil, BA20 1NP
0871 200 2000
Swan Theatre
138 Park Street, Yeovil, BA20 1QT
01935 428646
Yeovil Country Park
Brunswick Street
01935 462462
www.southsomersetcountryside.com
Sherborne Castle
New Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5NR
01935 812072
Further information
This bespoke resident’s web page provides links mentioned in this booklet to help you access information about all forms of transport in Somerset and beyond, making it easier to plan your journey.
Travel Somerset
For live traffic and road works
General Bus Information
Traveline
0871 200 2233
Nextbuses
Bus Operators
South West Coaches
The Buses of Somerset
www.busesofsomerset.co.uk/timetables
Twitter – @busesofsomerset
First Dorset
www.firstgroup.com/wessex-dorset-south-somerset/
Twitter – @firstdorset
Train Information
National Rail Enquiries
0871 200 49 50
Twitter: @nationalrailenq
Train Operators
Great Western Railway
www.gwr.com
Twitter – @GWRHelp
South West Trains
Twitter – @SW_Trains
Coaches
National Express
Pre book 0871 7818181
Twitter – @nationalexpress
Taylors Coaches
taylorscoachtravel.co.uk
Berry’s Coaches
www.berryscoaches.co.uk/book-tickets-london-superfast
Bike
Sustrans cycle route planner
www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map
Bicycle Shops in Yeovil
Rock & Road Ltd – 01935 431937
Tri UK – 01935 414142
Giant – 01935 478478
Motorcycle Shops in Yeovil
Morgan Motorcycles – 01935 433095
Bransons Motorcycles – 01935 474998
South West Scooters – 01935 475574
Car
Liftshare
Faxi
Bla Bla Car
Go Car Share
Taxis
Yellow Pages