Update on the New Lubbesthorpe Bus Service - March 2026
From Central Connect (the bus operator), Drummond Estate (the landowner) and GO Travel Solutions (the travel plan coordinators)
The NovusDirect bus service is now operating out of a facility on Dee Way known as the Tay Road Compound (TRC). This was land previously used by Redrow as a builders’ yard.
The existing planning approval proposes that the site will be used as a District Centre, however this development is not anticipated to take place for a number of years. The use of the site temporarily as the TRC is therefore proposed in the short term but is subject to planning approval, with an outcome expected before May 2026 (see link for the planning application). Long term the site will continue to be developed as a district centre to serve New Lubbesthorpe.
Changes to the NovusDirect bus service
Since 2019, New Lubbesthorpe bus services have relied on funding from the landowner, Drummond Estate to operate. However, this funding will soon expire, so it is vital that the bus service reaches a point of commercial viability by 2027.
If that is not achieved, major changes will be required. This could mean a cut in frequency, loss of the link to Brockington College, shorter operational hours, significantly longer journey times into Leicester or even withdrawal of the bus service. We know any of these will have a major negative impact on residents, so we must explore ways to enable the service to become more commercially viable.
The Drummond Estate are providing the land use for the TRC at no cost to Central Connect, helping to substantially reduce the overheads NovusDirect previously incurred by operating from their Loughborough depot. The recent upgrade to larger, newer buses provides an hourly seating capacity increase of 80% at peak times and improvement in passenger comfort. This will hopefully generate more revenue and help to bring the service to a point of financial viability when the funding expires.
How will it affect residents?
The site is located at the very edge of New Lubbesthorpe, helping to minimise the impact on residents. All maintenance work on vehicles will take place elsewhere meaning the TRC will be used for storage of NovusDirect buses not in service and cars belonging to drivers. The buses will leave in the mornings and return throughout the evening to be stored overnight. Some buses may also return to the facility for long layover periods, reducing the impact of waiting at the Tay Road local centre bus stop.
The site is surrounded by hoardings, which will help to minimise visual and audible impact of the vehicles using the TRC for nearby residents. Central Connect are committed to being good neighbours and will do all they can to minimise any adverse impact. If residents living nearby have concerns, they should contact Central Connect via email on
What other benefits are there?
By providing a dedicated area for drivers to park their own cars, this will further alleviate concerns associated with staff cars parked near to the Tay Road local centre bus stop. Driver welfare will also be improved by the provision of toilet and rest facilities in the compound.
Previously, spare vehicles were being deployed from Loughborough 18 miles away, however the Tay Road Compound will enable replacement vehicles to enter the service more rapidly in the event of breakdowns or incidents, helping to improve the responsiveness and reliability of NovusDirect.
You can stay up to date on NovusDirect news at www.central-connect.co.uk/novus-leicester. New Lubbesthorpe residents can apply for a free 7-day ticket as well as 50% off a 31-day ticket, if they have not already done so, by registering a free LocalGO account at www.localgo.co.uk/join.
Please note: this statement was amended on 19th March 2025 to reflect that the long term plan for the District Centre on the land still remains.