The X16 and 18 bus services in Warwick district are due to be merged due to "low passenger numbers", the county council has confirmed.

The change is one of a number of updates to services in the southern part of the county, which have been introduced to "improve reliability, service frequency, and connections".

From Saturday July 20 the X16 (Kenilworth - Leek Wootton - Warwick - Stratford Schools) and 18 (Leamington, Northumberland Avenue – Warwick – Stratford Schools) will be merged into a single double-decker route (X16) serving Leek Wootton-Kenilworth-Leamington-Emscote Road-Warwick-Stratford Schools.

Service X18 will still serve pupils in the Myton Road area.

Other changes include:

Buses will now run every 20 minutes (generally) between 7am and 7pm, with extended operating hours and a revised route serving Midsummer Park, The Ridgeway, Bishopton Lane, and the Maybird Centre layby.

Timetable adjustments on Services 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, 3A (Stratford-Meon Vale-Chipping Campden-Moreton in Marsh)

Minor timetable adjustments will provide a five-minute later departure for the 9am Stratford to Moreton service on weekdays and Saturdays.

Extra journeys will operate between Gaydon, Warwick, and Coventry during peak times, designated as service X18A. The main route will also see extended journeys.

Revised timetable on Service 50 (Stratford-Shipston on Stour-Chipping Norton)

This service will offer improved connections to Oxford at Chipping Norton on weekdays and Saturdays. Timetables will also be coordinated with services 51 and 75 for a more regular service between Stratford and Shipston.

Changes to Service Operators 

Service 51 (Stratford – Shipston on Stour – Moreton in Marsh) will now be operated by Stagecoach, with minor route adjustments and a new starting point at Stratford Wood Street Oxfam.

These services will see a variety of changes, including revised timetables, route adjustments to improve efficiency, and the introduction of a new service (77D) to supplement existing routes.

Services 229 (Stratford-Wilmcote-Aston Cantlow-Snitterfield-Stratford / Redditch/Ullenhall-Hockley Heath) and 239 (Studley- Alcester-Aston Cantlow-Stratford-Moreton Morrell) will be partially merged in the mornings, using one double-decker vehicle. Service 229 will no longer serve Hockley Heath, Henley in Arden, or Wootton Wawen.

Passengers from these points should travel by Service X20. In the afternoons, two separate trips will operate – a revised 229 and the existing 239 route.

Cllr Jan Matecki, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, said: "We are committed to providing high-quality public transport options for residents of Stratford and Warwick.

"These changes are based on feedback from passengers and will improve journey times, connections, and accessibility for many people."