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revised to run hourly between Bridgwater and Cannington with the section of route between Cannington and Minehead being withdrawn.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.