Press Release
NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS FOR THE ROYAL LANDSCAPE, WINDSOR
30 May 2007
A new public bus service linking The Royal Landscape with Windsor town centre and Virginia Water station is inaugurated this week.
The new service number 300 is called ‘The Royal Landscape Link’ and is a joint venture between The Crown Estate, First in Berkshire and Surrey County Council. In its initial trial, which will last until October, the service will operate three times daily in each direction, with additional journeys at weekends.
Passengers travelling between Windsor and The Royal Landscape will have unique views of Windsor Great Park and Castle as the bus travels along private park roads. Passengers may alight (or board) at the Copper Horse in the very centre of the park. Journeying on to The Royal Landscape, it will stop first at The Savill Garden, and then head further south, making another stop near the lakeside at Virginia Water, before completing its journey to Virginia Water station. The total journey time from Windsor centre to Virginia Water Station is scheduled to be 40 minutes.
The new service operates with state-of-the-art wheelchair friendly vehicles with onboard video. The brand new environment-friendly buses have been commissioned by First and Surrey County Council to provide the ‘Pegasus’ school bus service, launched earlier this year.
The Royal Landscape Link will have its ceremonial inaugural run on Friday 1 June. The mid-morning service on that day will leave Windsor Parish Church at 11:45 am and pause near the Estate Office in Windsor Great Park to pick up VIPs for a journey through the park to The Savill Garden.
Commenting on the new bus link, Philip Everett, Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park said: “The Crown Estate is committed to making access to The Royal Landscape easier for all, and to manage the estate in a sustainable way. Offering a public transport alternative to car travel is an essential step and we’re delighted that First are able to operate the service with these modern, environmentally friendly vehicles.”
Andrew Taylor, Commercial Director of First in Berkshire, added: “Now, for the first time, The Royal Landscape is fully linked into the public transport network, making car-less journeys the practical way to visit this unique historic landscape. We’re delighted to have been given special permission to travel across the park, so that between Windsor and the Savill Garden our passengers will enjoy one of the finest views in the country, down the Long Walk towards Windsor Castle.”
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