SOMERSET Council has confirmed that the future of Yeovil Bus Station is secure.

The council is currently involved in commercial discussions with the station's owner with the view of buying the site and keeping it as a key transport hub.

Once ownership is secured, the council will eventually remove some of the existing ageing buildings.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said that he understands the concerns about the future of the station.

Bus user groups expressed their displeasure following the council's decision to close the waiting room and toilets from May 31, although the council has now agreed to keep the waiting room open for at least another few months with the support of the Somerset Bus Partnership and First Bus South West.
 
Councillor Wilkins said: “It is clear people are worried about the future of the bus station.

“That is why we are underlining our commitment to keeping it operational – there are absolutely no plans to close it. 

“We have had to take the decision to close the toilets and initially the waiting room to save on cleaning and maintenance costs – we have been very clear that due to the Council’s financial situation this needed to happen. 

“This is in line with difficult and heartbreaking decisions we’ve had to make across somerset. 

“However, I’m really pleased we can now keep the waiting room open for the immediate future, following an agreement between the bus user group and operator. 

“Please be assured that we remain committed to seeking further funding from Government from the Bus Service Improvement Fund, and working with partners, to maintain facilities at the bus station in the future - this is an evolving regeneration process. 

“You are likely to see some changes in the coming months – some of the buildings will be demolished as part of the regeneration but the bus station will remain operational throughout and into the long-term future.” 

Somerset Council has been awarded nearly £13 million from the Government for a range of initiatives for Somerset's Bus Service Improvement Plan, which aims to make bus travel more attractive and sustainable.

This includes ensuring that key services between Yeovil and Taunton can continue to run.