Residents of Egginton, a village in Derbyshire, have reacted with surprise and a renewed sense of optimism following the recent construction of a new bus stop. The amenity was erected despite the village having no active bus service for nearly ten years, with the last route withdrawn in 2017 due to low passenger numbers.
The new bus stop was installed on Main Street after the previous one was identified as a safety hazard due to corrosion. The East Midlands Combined County Authority, which took over local bus service responsibilities in 2026, stated that the decision to replace the stop was made by Derbyshire county council in 2025. The authority indicated that the stop was replaced at the nearest suitable location in December 2025 and maintained in case services are reinstated in the future.
Kathryn Bishop, a 77-year-old resident, described the situation as initially humorous after reporting damage to the old stop, only to see a new one being built days later. The installation has galvanized villagers and local officials in their campaign to bring back a bus service.
Labour MP Samantha Niblett has voiced support for the residents and the Parish Council's efforts. "My team and I have already had conversations with local bus companies and are planning to address our transport needs with [Claire Ward, the mayor of the East Midlands]," Niblett stated, posting a video of the new stop on social media and praising the community's determination.
Egginton, which currently has only a village hall and a church, lacks essential services such as a post office, GP surgery, and shop. Residents like Roz Wherly emphasized the importance of public transport for maintaining independence and accessing amenities in nearby Derby and Burton. Driving instructor Natalie Jordan highlighted the social isolation and practical difficulties faced by those without cars, citing an instance where a new resident took a daily taxi to a nearby job because no bus service was available.
The withdrawal of Trentbarton's Villager V2 service in 2017 marked the end of an hourly bus connection for Egginton. The current situation underscores the ongoing challenges related to public transportation accessibility in rural areas.