Cllr Brad Baines has stepped in to save the Number 46 from major cuts to evening and Sunday services. Through new funding from Oxfordshire County Council, this much-used service will now keep running at the same frequency.
When Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Great Milton announced it would shut for an 18-month refurbishment from January 2026, the funding behind the 46 was suddenly at risk. With the hotel and restaurant temporarily closed, its financial backing for the bus service was set to drop. As a result, Oxford Bus Company planned to cut back evening trips and stop all Sunday buses after 6:30pm.
Cllr Brad Baines, the Labour & Co-op County Councillor for Isis, says: “I’m delighted to have secured this much needed funding from the County Council to protect evening and Sunday services on the Number 46 bus route. While the continued funding from Le Manoir is incredibly valued, reduced contributions during the restaurant’s renovation risked cutting off residents in Donnington and Iffley Fields from a direct service to Cowley Centre.”
“Having fought so hard alongside residents to secure the Number 46 , following Stagecoach’s decision to withdraw the previous Number 16, I know how valued this service is. I look forward to the service once again serving the Abingdon Road once Donnington Bridge is given the all clear.”
– Ends –
Notes to editors:
- Oxfordshire County Council has offered some financial support to Oxford Bus Company to provide later journeys on the section of route between Oxford city centre, Florence Park, Cowley Centre and The Longwall.
- This retains services until 11:20pm Monday-Saturday and until 8:25pm on Sundays.
- This support has been offered an initial 3-month period to gauge usage.
- The new timetable will be implemented on 4 January 2026.
- Number 16 campaign – https://www.oxfordlabour.org.uk/city-and-county-councillors-concerned-about-scrapping-of-number-16/