18th June 2004
For Immediate Release
All Aboard for Dorset’s new Conservation
Express!
– MP launches joint initiative to boost tourism and link Dorset’s conservation areas
Friday, 18th June - The maiden voyage of Dorset’s new Conservation Express, a special bus
service, which will link Wool railway station with the award-winning Monkey World, stunning
Lulworth Castle and Park, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door during the summer period, took
place today. Jim Knight, South Dorset MP, cut the ribbon across the entrance to the bus
before boarding, followed by a host of local VIPs and children from local Bovington First
School.
“I am delighted to launch the Conservation Express which will be promoting both conservation
awareness and affordable public transportation in the Purbecks. This service will link some of
Purbeck’s most popular tourism attractions,” said Mr Knight.
An initiative created to boost tourism and to link these areas of conservation with each other,
the Conservation Express is funded by a joint venture between Monkey World and Lulworth
Estate. For just £1 for adults and 50p for children (5-15 years), visitors and local residents will
be able to hop on and off the open-top, double-decker bus to visit these special sights and
attractions all day making it a visitor attraction in its own right.
Each round trip take an hour and a half starting at 9:50am at Durdle Door Sunday to Friday.
Exact timetables are available at all of the Conservation Express bus stops.
The launch was also attended by Mr James Weld, one of the central figures in the designation
of the World Heritage Coastline and Mr Jim Cronin and Dr Alison Cronin, directors of Monkey
World – Ape Rescue Centre.
FREE SERVICE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS ON SUNDAY 27TH JUNE
Local residents of Winfrith, Wool, Bovington, Wareham and any of the villages in between, are
invited to hop onto the Conservation Express for free all day on Sunday 27th June, with the
Sunday to Friday service commencing on Thursday 1st July.
For information on timetables or where to find your nearest Conservation Express bus
stop, click on www.monkeyworld.org, www.lulworth.com or telephone Lulworth Estate on
01929 400352.
…ends…
Issued on behalf of Monkey World and Lulworth Estate