The Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the county’s two acute hospitals, is working with Shropshire Council and Arriva to provide the service for a trial between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday, from Monday 27 January 2025.

The bus service, which is currently available for staff, runs every 20 minutes from the car park at Oxon Park & Ride to the Treatment Centre to the new main entrance of the hospital. Oxon Park & Ride is located behind the Bicton Heath Co-operative. From the Shrewsbury bypass, turn on to the Welshpool Road heading towards Redwoods Hospital, turn left at the junction directly after the traffic lights and continue towards the signposted Park & Ride. The nearest postcode is SY3 5AD (Bicton Heath Retail Park, Shrewsbury).

There is also a walking route from the car park to the hospital which takes approximately 20 minutes. The service will be free to patients and visitors during the trial period. If the service is extended after this time, there will be a charge in line with other local Park & Ride services.

You can find a map and a timetable for the service here.

FAQ’s

Do I need to pay?

No. The bus will be free during the trial. You will need a ticket though. Passengers are asked to keep their return ticket with them to be able to return to the Park & Ride site at Oxon.

Why can’t I get the park and ride before 10am or after 3pm?

Our data shows that the majority of our staff use the service before 10am and after 3pm and the buses during those times are already busy and near to capacity. During the trial we need to ensure they can get to and from work without disruption.

When will the trial run?

The trial will run from Monday 27January until Friday 18 April 2025.

Why is it a trial?

We have listened to feedback from our patients who have said they would like to use the Park & Ride but we need to see if the data supports this as a viable option. We do currently have plenty of patient parking on site in car parking zone 2 due to hospital staff using the service, so it’s a matter of finding the right balance. We really do welcome all feedback and suggestions as we strive to provide the best patient experience.

Will this be available in Telford too?

We will be working on updating the car parks at Princess Royal Hospital this year. We will wait and see what the data shows us from the trial and see if it could also work for PRH.

My appointment was running late and finished after 3pm, what should I do?

Don’t worry you can get the next available bus. Buses run every 15/20 minutes. Buses leaving after 4pm are very well used by staff at the hospital so may be busy. Passengers are asked to keep hold of their ticket to show for the return journey. The full timetable is available here.

Where do I get the bus at Oxon?

Oxon Park & Ride is located behind the Bicton Heath Co-operative. From the A5, turn on to Welshpool Road heading towards Shelton, Oxon Park and Ride is clearly signposted. The nearest postcode is SY3 5AD (Bicton Heath Retail Park, Shrewsbury). Buses will pick up from the Park & Ride bus shelter.

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Is the Park & Ride accessible?

All Arriva buses are wheelchair friendly and can carry one wheelchair per journey. Arriva does accept mobility scooters, you must have an Arriva pre-approved mobility scooter permit. To obtain a permit, users will need to apply via Arriva customer services on 0344 800 4411. We would recommend anyone with mobility concerns to park on site.

Are there height restrictions at the Oxon Park & Ride?

Yes. The barrier at Oxon Park & Ride is 6ft 11in.

Where does the bus stop at the hospital?

The bus runs from Oxon Park & Ride to the new main entrance at the hospital, which is at the Treatment Centre, and then back to the Oxon Park & Ride.

Does the bus stop at the ward block?

No, the bus does not stop at the ward block.

How often are the buses?

The buses run every 20 minutes from 10am – 3pm. Outside of these times they run every 15/20 minutes. There is a full timetable displayed at Oxon Park & Ride and at the Treatment Centre, and available online here.

Can I Park & Walk?

Yes you can. Just park on the Oxon car park, no ticket required.

Walking route

The direct route to the Hospital is to follow the footpaths along Welshpool Road, right at the Shelton roundabout, down Somerby Drive, left onto Napoleon Drive then a right down Starcross Close. The route is 1.27km or ¾ of a mile. All footpaths. Pedestrian crossing at Oxon Co-op site.

What do I do if I need to contact someone about the bus?

Need to speak to someone? Call our Customer Services team on:

0344 800 44 11

Please note that calls may be recorded for training and development purposes so that we can continue to improve our service to you.

Our opening hours are: 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday If you have any feedback, suggestions or questions you can email sath.parkandride@nhs.net.