A vital bus route in rural Somerset has been saved following a successful campaign by local councillors.

FirstBus operates the 173 services between Wells and Bath, which serves the villages of South Horrington, West Horrington, Binegar, Gurney Slade and Chilcompton as well as the towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock.

The operator indicated in July that the route could be scrapped in the autumn, citing a severe shortage of bus drivers and the withdrawal of government funding provided during the coronavirus pandemic.

But the company has now U-turned following a campaign by councillors and a petition which attracted more than 600 signatures.

A motion on the proposed loss of the service was due to be debated by Mendip District Council’s cabinet when it meets in Shepton Mallet on Monday evening (August 8).

Councillor Tom Killen said the loss of the service would “have a huge impact upon those living and working along its route”, with residents being “unable to travel to work, school, university and places of work.”

He added: “There will be numerous social, economic and environmental consequences of this decision including an increase in a feeling of isolation as well as a need for greater car use.”

However, this debate will no longer need to take place after Liberal Democrat county councillors persuaded FirstBus managers to change their minds and secure the route.

Councillor Theo Butt Philip, who represents the Wells division, said: “I am delighted that First Bus has listened to the overwhelming outpouring of public support for the 173.

“I would like to thank the hundreds of people who signed our petition or wrote to First Bus letting them know how important the 173 bus is.

The 173 is the only bus left serving East Wells, South Horrington, West Horrington, Binegar, Gurney Slade and Chilcompton – without the 173 these communities would be cut off from public transport entirely.”

A petition launched by the Wells Liberal Democrats to save the 173 route received 650 signatures within just a few days of being launched.

Councillor Tessa Munt – who was MP for Wells between 2010 and 2015 – said: “People rely on the 173 to get to school and college, to medical appointments, to work, to the shops, and to the market.

“I am incredibly relieved that the 173 is not now facing the axe. We must continue to ensure vital bus routes, serving Wells and the surrounding villages are protected.”

Councillor Edric Hobbs – whose Mendip Hills division includes the villages between Wells and Midsomer Norton – said: “I am pleased that the weight of public opinion has persuaded FirstBus to keep the 173 bus service.

“I had many emails from worried people including pensioners who don’t drive, people with sight impairment who can’t drive, children who use the bus for school and extra-curricular activity, people who use it to get to work and the businesses who employ those people.

“My youngest son uses it to get to work in Midsomer Norton. Without this service, he and many others may have been looking for work elsewhere."