Editing Alcester (section)

==Transport==
Alcester was previously served by [[Alcester railway station]] belonging to the [[Midland Railway]] (later part of the [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway|LMS Railway]]), on the [[Gloucester Loop Line]], branching off the [[Birmingham and Gloucester Railway]] main line at {{rws|Ashchurch}}, passing through {{rws|Evesham}}, Alcester and {{rws|Redditch}} and rejoining the main line at {{rws|Barnt Green}}, near {{rws|Bromsgrove}}. The loop was built to address the fact that the main line bypassed most of the towns it might otherwise have served, but it took three separate companies to complete, Alcester being on the Evesham and Redditch railway prior to absorption by the Midland.

In addition a branch line provided by the Alcester Railway Company (later part of the [[Great Western Railway]]) ran from {{rws|Alcester}} to {{rws|Bearley}}, thus giving access to {{rws|Stratford-upon-Avon}}. This line, however, was an early casualty, closing in September 1939. The [[Gloucester Loop Line|Midland loop]] was due to close between {{rws|Ashchurch}} and {{rws|Redditch}} in June 1963 but the poor condition of the track led to all trains between {{rws|Evesham}} and [[Redditch]] being withdrawn in October 1962 and replaced by a bus service for the final eight months. Redditch to {{rws|Barnt Green}} remains open on the electrified [[Birmingham]] suburban network.

Currently, Alcester is served by one regular bus route, the hourly [[Stagecoach Midlands]]-operated X19 between Redditch and [[Stratford-upon-Avon]]. The [[Diamond West Midlands]]-operated route 247 operates irregularly through Alcester between Redditch and [[Evesham]].