BUS services in Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Taunton will be cut as Crosville Motor Services has announced they will be stopping some services at the end of April.

The bus company currently operates two bus services in Weston and shopper services at Asda in Taunton and Tesco in Burnham-on-Sea but announced today (March 1) that they will be closing part of the business. 

The company says North Somerset Council has been given two months notice of their decision to stop services in the areas.

John Wye, managing director of Crosville Motor Services, said: “We have taken the decision with a great deal of regret and it is simply because the market is too challenging with passenger numbers falling and competition fierce.

"The council will no doubt seek replacement suppliers.

“There is a lot of love and support for the company locally and we are grateful for that and it is with huge regret that we are taking this decision.

"We are proud to have been a significant employer in the town for many years and this decision will impact on our staff.

“We have attempted to adapt and change and we have stripped loss making areas of the business to try to keep going but we now feel there is no other option but to close this side of the business in an organised way.”

The firm is owned by JJP Holdings South West Limited and employs 10 full time staff, 11 part time staff and eight casual workers who will be affected by the decision.

A spokesman for the company said there are vacancies within JJP Holdings South West Ltd and it is hoped to transfer staff affected into those vacant positions.

The bus company said its final day of operations in Weston-super-Mare will be on April 21 which the company plans to operate as a 'vintage day' with its fleet of vintage buses and coaches used on routes at a special event.

“We want our last day to be something special for the town, recognising the end of our business activities here," Mr Wye said.

"We will be donating all revenue taken on the last day to a local charity and we are looking for suggestions for a suitable charity."

Anyone with suggested charities should write to: Crosville Motor Services Limited, Unit 2, Westland Distribution Park, Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9AD.