Bill Purdue’s March travel news

He also takes a look at how you can travel further afield, including those planning a trip to the capital.

If you’re planning a train trip to London later this year, you’ll need to know how to get around once you arrive at St Pancras or King’s Cross.

Transport for London has announced that from the middle of 2014, you will no longer be able to pay in cash for a journey by bus. This is because about 99 per cent of customers use contactless cards, such as the Oyster Card.

For visitors to London, there are two options ; buy a Visitor Oyster Card or a Travelcard for one day or 7 days.

Prices for the Oyster Card start at £10 plus £3 card fee and Travelcards start at £8 depending on whether you want an off peak or anytime card and which travel zones you intend to travel in.

For more information go to http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/oystercard, or http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/travelcards.

Those with concessionary bus passes can use them on London buses just as you do nearer home.

Travelling to Dronfield or Sheffield by train?

Dronfield station is currently served by rail replacement bus services due to a lineside embankment gradually moving towards the railway line between Chesterfield and Sheffield.

Damage to the track has been caused and emergency repair work is being carried out which is expected to last until 1st April.

Some passenger trains between Chesterfield and Sheffield are operating via the ‘old road’ through Renishaw and Beighton. Passengers travelling between Chesterfield and Sheffield may have to use a bus replacement service depending when you want to travel. Check before you travel by phoning the National Rail Enquiry Line on 08457 48 49 50.

Travelling to Nottingham?

Regular users of all bus services between Mansfield and Nottingham may already know of possible delays on Mansfield Road, Nottingham, due to roadworks at the junction with Forest Road and Mapperley Road. Routes affected include the threes, the pronto, 141, rapid 1 and the Calverton connection.

And finally

There’s a new blog, which specialises in showing how to reach places of historical interest in and around Nottinghamshire on the bus. Whilst it’s mainly aimed at those who live in Nottingham, it’s worth a look even if you live further north. Go to Robert Howard’s blog at http://historybybus.blogspot.co.uk