Neighbourhood Planning Group – update
[pdfjs-viewer url=”http%3A%2F%2Fnetherstowey-pc.gov.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F10%2FNEIGHBOURHOOD-PLAN.pdf” viewer_width=100% viewer_height=1360px fullscreen=true download=true print=true]
Bus Service – Letter from Cllr David Fothergill
The Parish Council has received the letter below from Cllr Fothergill explaining the situation regarding the buses.
A downloadable version is available here
Footpath Closure: St Mary Street-Oak Road
We have been advised that the Footpath running between Gullifords Garage on St Mary Street and Oak Road will be closed from 31 October for approximately two weeks. This is to allow Wessex Water to carry out essential works to the water main.
Further details are available here
BUS SERVICE: Statement from Somerset County Council
We have received the following statement from Somerset County Council:
“It is regrettable that these services have not proved to be commercially viable and due to the Council’s well documented financial position we are unable to provide funding to restore them. However, Buses of Somerset have confirmed that services between Minehead and Bridgwater College at the start and finish of the College day will be maintained and Somerset County Council will ensure that students living between Porlock and Minehead will still have access to both Bridgwater College and both Colleges in Taunton in line with our duty to provide access to further education. For daytime passengers Somerset County Council are committed to maintaining funding for the Slinky Demand Responsive bus service operated by ATWEST.
“In addition to these services, with the help of concessionary fare funding from the County Council ATWEST provide Community Transport in the areas affected by these withdrawals and the villages of Kilve & Holford, Minehead, Porlock, Stogursey, Watchet & Williton have their own local voluntary car schemes which can provide access to local services or connections to and from alternative bus services for local residents.”
Additionally we have received the following from Buses of Somerset (First Bus)
Service 14 (Bridgwater – Cannington)
Due to low customer demand, Service 14 is revised to run hourly between Bridgwater and Cannington with the section of route between Cannington and Minehead being withdrawn. A peak hour only extension to Nether Stowey and the Bridgwater College day extension to Stogursey and Shurton will continue to run.
STOWEY SHUTTLE LAUNCHED
Stowey Shuttle
We are delighted to announce that the Stowey Shuttle car sharing scheme went live on Monday 3rd October.
This is a local community volunteer led car based travel scheme called the Stowey Shuttle. It will be operated by volunteer drivers driving their own vehicles. It is designed to help people who have difficulty using public transport or who must travel to or from locations where there is no public transport available.
The types of journey this scheme is designed to support are Primarily health and care-related appointments and if we have the capacity things such as shopping in town.
It is available to residents in the Parishes of Nether and Over Stowey who need to make journeys in the local area.
The cost to the passenger is worked out on miles travelled and they will be told this before completing their booking. The drivers offer their time freely and in return receive expenses in respect of the mileage they incur.
We require at least 48 hours notice to set up the lifts.
From 3rd October the number to call is 07943923742
NETHER STOWEY BUS SERVICE
Many of you will have received a flyer through your door telling you that the bus service is being taken away.
The Parish Council has now been able to confirm the service from Cannington to Minehead will end: the last day of service will be on 30 October. The College buses will continue to run on their current schedule.
Somerset County Council say that they are aware that the withdrawal of the service leaves a large area of Somerset with no public transport. They have told us that there will be a meeting later this week between senior managers and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Roads and Transport, Cllr David Fothergill, to see what can be done.
The Parish Council impressed upon the County Council the needs of the residents of Nether Stowey and the wider area served by this route for an adequate public transport service, and we will be writing to Mr Fothergill to reinforce the message as well as to the County and District Councillors for Nether Stowey.
If you would like to add your voice, please contact:
| Cllr David Fothergill | DJAFothergill@somerset.gov.uk | 03001232224 |
| Cllr John Edney | JEdney@somerset.gov.uk | 01278 653026 |
| Address: Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY | ||
| Cllr Michael Caswell | Michael.Caswell@sedgemoor.gov.uk | 01278 652043 |
| Cllr Julie Pay | Julie.Pay@sedgemoor.gov.uk | 01278 732956 |
| Address: Sedgemoor District Council, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR | ||
Further information will be available as soon as we get it.
New Information Panel unveiled
On 15 July John Roberts, Chairman of Nether Stowey Parish Council unveiled a new visitor information panel in Nether Stowey gaol in the centre of the historic village. The panel gives information on points of interest, local figures and promotes the Coleridge Way, a 50-mile trail through Somerset and Devon to Lynmouth linking sites associated with Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Cllr Roberts thanked local designer and writer Terence Sackett who designed the panel and Steve Taylor who painted the gaol and installed the panel and Cllr Colin Penny who had the original idea and led the project.
Library – New Opening Hours
From Thursday 2 June the Library’s new opening hours are:
Mon – OPEN 10am-1pm and 2-5pm
Tues – closed
Wed – OPEN 10am-1pm and 2-5pm
Thurs – closed
Fri – OPEN 10am-1pm and 2-5pm
Sat – OPEN 10am-12 noon