Jo Barnes

Eligible disabled people in England will receive free all-day bus travel on weekdays from April 2027, removing the current 9:30 a.m. start-time restriction unless local authorities already provide an extension. Shropshire Council welcomed the change for improving access to work, education, healthcare and leisure, while transport cabinet member Rob Wilson credited MP Tom Gordon’s campaigning. Wilson also warned that councils need genuinely new government funding because the £60 million cost—made up of £40 million from the Department for Work and Pensions and £20 million from the Department for Transport—is being drawn from existing budgets.

The Shropshire Hills Landscape Connections project has received a £993,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to develop plans for habitat restoration, biodiversity improvement and climate resilience. Led by the National Trust in partnership with conservation groups, landowners, communities and public bodies, the project could secure a further £8.9 million for delivery. Over 10 years, it aims to involve more than 200 landowners, restore rivers, fund smaller nature recovery schemes and create traineeships for young people.

Severn Valley Country Park, The Mere at Ellesmere and Stanmore Country Park have retained Green Flag Awards for their environmental standards, maintenance and visitor facilities. The three Shropshire sites attract more than 500,000 visitors annually and offer activities including parkrun, Nordic walking, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, nature visits and family trails. Shropshire Council, volunteers and community groups were praised for maintaining the parks, improving biodiversity and providing welcoming spaces for recreation and wellbeing.

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce has promoted Grace Bywater to events and training manager after she completed an apprenticeship with SBC Training. Based in Shrewsbury, Bywater will organize events and deliver training courses for local businesses, building on her degree from Cardiff University and experience with the chamber. Kelly Riedel described the promotion as well deserved and praised Bywater's achievements.