WEST Somerset bus users could be left stranded after it emerged three vital services are set to be axed.

Somerset County Council has confirmed that from Saturday, October 29, the Buses of Somerset will no longer be running the number 10 Porlock to Minehead, the number 14 Minehead to Cannington and the 101 Minehead Town Service.

This will leave residents in many rural villages across West Somerset concerned they will not be able to make hospital appointments, get to college or work, or do their shopping.

Petitions have already been gathering signatures across the affected areas, and there is an emergency meeting being held this Saturday in Minehead's Wellington Square between 10am and 12noon to try and gather more.

Porlock resident Ivor Jones, a member of the Save Our Buses campaign group, said: "There will a collection of names to petition Somerset County Council to secure resources to ensure the survival of our vital bus link to Minehead.

"This threat to our local service is a direct result of Government spending cuts over the past few years.

"Your participation is essential, if we lose our buses now, we will never get them back."

The routes were formerly operated by Webberbus, which collapsed in May and is under investigation by the police for alleged 'financial irregularities'.

SCC provided funding on an emergency basis before the Buses of Somerset took the routes on commercially, but the company has now reached the conclusion that these routes are not viable.

A spokesman for SCC said: "In light of the Council’s well-documented current financial position we cannot confirm at this stage that we will be able to tender for any replacement services.”

MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset Ian Liddell-Grainger slammed First Bus, saying the company was treating West Somerset residents with 'utter contempt'.
"I am livid. First Bus are serial offenders at doing this - there has been no consultation, no elected representatives were informed and I am sick to death of my constituents being treated as third class citizens."

Somerset County Councillor for Exmoor Frances Nicholson said: "I realise that Buses of Somerset’s decision to cease these services is very worrying for residents who rely on them.

"It is very sad that they are not commercially viable. As County Councillor for Exmoor I am doing my best to make sure that the communities that are affected will be supported appropriately, though of course this is bound to mean changes."

The Gazette went out to Porlock and met people waiting for the Number 10 bus on Friday.

Sixth form student at Bridgwater College Elliot Nixon said he was unsure how he would be able to get to and from College if the service stops.

"I attend College in Bridgwater every single day, my parents cannot take me to Minehead, and I already take three buses to get to school.

"Obviously it is frustrating in my situation but I think it would be a blow to the community as a whole."

Mark Johnson said he relied on the bus to get to work.

"I think there are way too many people here in Porlock for them to stop running this bus service, I work in Minehead – I would have to cycle six miles to and from work every day."

Elderly resident Ann Fair added: "I think it is just awful, we will be stranded. It could be life-threatening, many people use this bus to get to hospital appointments."

Porlock Parish Council clerk Christine Fitzgerald said: "Once we heard we thought it best to get the petition going.

"We have been in touch with our district and county councillors and are trying to find out more because losing this bus would make life very, very difficult for a lot of people here.

"If it is going to stop at the end of October something needs to be done pretty sharply."

Cllr Karen Mills, Lead Member for Economic Regeneration and Tourism at West Somerset Council said:

“Having a regular bus service is perceived as a positive by people wanting to move into the area, whether they are a business or simply want to buy a home here. Losing that service makes it more difficult to attract that important inward investment.

“We have a high proportion of older people in our district and many rely on the bus to visit friends, attend hospital appointments and simply get out and about. The loss of a service means more isolation and a loss of independence.

“I know that many tourists use the Porlock service and to lose that would have a knock-on effect in an area that relies heavily on the tourism industry. Students also need to get to school, college or to work.

“I am determined to explore every avenue to see whether there is a way of maintaining even a reduced service as once it’s gone it’s extremely difficult to restore.”