The article there and on First D&C websites indicate that it'll happen during the summer (that won't cause chaos with any tourists whatsoever...:roll
. Ten routes will be transferred according to the First Press Release, which are;
1, Barnstaple - Bideford - Westward Ho!
2, Barnstaple - Bideford - Appledore
3, Barnstaple - Ilfracombe via Braunton
5/5C, Barnstaple - Swimbridge/Petroc - South Molton
8 (operates summer only), Barnstaple - Croyde
30/30C, Combe Martin - Ilfracombe/Petroc
31, Ilfracombe - Woolacombe
32, Ilfracombe Bus Station - Ilfracombe Tesco via Whittingham Road
X7, Barnstaple - South Molton via A361
X9, Bude - Exeter
Some will see routes merged, potentially with a more frequent service to compensate, so I'd guess that Stagecoach 21 and 21A will disappear, with route 2 possibly being extended and running alongside or instead of route 3 to Ilfracombe to maintain the Ilfracombe - Appledore service. I'd like to think they'll improve and combine the various Barnstaple to South Molton services - it's surely easier to have a route 7 via Landkey and Swimbridge, and X7 via the Link Road - simple. I think that routes 30, 31 and 32 won't see much change, nor will X9 which I believe is heavily funded by Devon County Council. The summer only route 8 will probably disappear an be incorporated into a more frequant 308 service.
The other thought that popped into my head is whether or not First has yet sold Ilfracombe Bus Station. I know they were desperatly trying to get rid, and various plans for flats on the site have come and gone, so that could be one to look out for.