VINTAGE buses and heritage line trains will come together on the first Sunday in every month during the summer to link Alton station with Chawton.

Owners of vintage buses housed at the Medstead Depot Omnibus Group premises in Four Marks are planning to link up with the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line to provide a free bus service on the first Sunday in every month, starting on May 1, between Alton station and Chawton.

According to group spokesman Malcolm Spalding the aim is to extend the experience for steam line users to embrace Jane Austen’s village with its museum, church, Chawton House Library, pub and tearoom.

Buses will leave Alton station at noon, 12.45pm, 2pm, 2.45pm and 3.40pm and return from Chawton at 12.15pm, 2.15pm, 3pm and 3.55pm.

The exception will be on Sunday, August 7, when the service will be more frequent, to coincide with the railway’s Thomas the Tank event.

The route will take passengers through Alton High Street, Turk Street, past Sainsbury’s, and on to Butts Road, to Chawton Park Road, past the Sports Centre, and via Northfield Lane to cross the A31, into the village, stopping outside Jane Austen’s House Museum.

The return route will be via Wolfs Lane, Selborne Road, Butts Road and back to the station via Drayman’s Way.

“Buses will stop at any bus stop along the route if waiting passengers make it clear they want to board or disembark,” said Mr Spalding, adding:

“The bus service will be available to anyone and there is no charge for using it.” The last day the bus service will run is October 2.