#AYearOfBuses 144: The Salt Road Birmingham – Worcester

Today on #AYearOfBuses we’re taking a trip along the Salt Road – the ancient road used by the Romans to carry salt from the town of Droitwich.

It’s believed the salt deposits at Droitwich were being exploited in the Iron Age, possibly earlier. Salt was a valuable resource in Roman times and the Romans came to Droitwich specifically for this. Later, the Anglo-Saxons had furnaces to evaporate the salt on the banks of the River Salwarpe. King John granted the town a Royal Charter in 1215 because of its salt, and Droitwich became very prosperous in Medieval times.

First Midland Red’s Salt Road buses feature a modified green version of the group’s Olympia livery courtesy of Best Impressions, whilst the buses themselves have been heavily refurbished and feature next stop announcements, USB power and free WiFi, a new moquette and bright white LED destination displays.

Image credit: Tim Brown