New bus service helps to make sport accessible for all
1 year ago
Photo: Millie Davis (Norwich City Women FC captain) and Adam Drury (Football & Education Manager at the Community Sports Foundation, Club Ambassador and ex-Norwich City captain) outside Carrow Park with Konectbus.
This April, Konectbus launch Route 35 to provide better accessibility and more sustainable transport links between The Nest and Carrow Road.
Known as Canary Konect, Route 35 will introduce a direct link between The Nest and Carrow Road stadium, serving Norwich Airport and Norwich Rail Station on the way. It has been funded by money secured by Norfolk County CouncilâÂÂs Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
Canary Konect will run hourly, 7 days a week, beginning on Sunday 16th April, which coincides with Norwich City Women FCâÂÂs match against Ashford Town at Carrow Road (KO 2pm).
Buses will leave The Nest at 08.15 stopping at Norwich Airport, Cromer Road, Aylsham Road, Anglia Square, Norwich Railway Station, and Carrow Park/Riverside on the way, with the last bus departing Carrow Road at 18.05.
The route will also provide sustainable travel options to families wishing to visit the Challenge Woods or residents wishing to take part in many of the community engagement programmes held at The Nest.
Gavin Smith, Managing Director for Go East Anglia/Konectbus, commented:
âÂÂWe are delighted to launch Canary Konect which will enable so many more people to get around the city, connecting many popular sporting venues and transport hubs without having to rely on cars. The Nest and Carrow Park attract visitors of all ages to their facilities, and we hope that our buses will not only make it possible for more people to access them but also encourage people to consider other sustainable ways to travel there, as accessibility has been improved for all.âÂÂ
Ian Thornton OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, said:
âÂÂLast year, over 15,000 participants and visitors enjoyed our inclusive facilities at The Nest.
âÂÂAs the base for so many of the FoundationâÂÂs programmes, every day we welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, ranging from pre-school groups enjoying our Challenge Woods, students using our state-of-the-art facilities as part of their education programme, right through to participants at DuncanâÂÂs Club, our weekly dementia group.âÂÂ
âÂÂUntil now, The Nest has not been accessible through public transport. Adding the 35 route, on which weâÂÂve been working closely with the team at Go East Anglia/Konectbus, will mean so many more people can benefit from our services every year.
He added: âÂÂItâÂÂs particularly great news for supporters of Norwich City Women, who will now be able to use KonectbusâÂÂs services to attend their home games, which are usually played at The Nest.âÂÂ
Jackie Thornton (Head of Development at the Community Sports Foundation), Summer Ward (Norwich City Women FC) and students at The Nest look forward to the arrival of Canary Konect