North Somerset Council steps in to save bus route

Part of a bus route due to be axed in Weston-super-Mare has been saved after North Somerset Council stepped in.

Areas of Locking Castle in the resort are currently served by the service 14, operated by First Bus.

However, from the end of November, this will run directly from Old Mill Way to Aspen Park Road, missing out a significant part of the development.

The move would have left many residents without a bus service.

However, the council is allowing Bakers Dolphin to take on these areas under service 16.

A revised route and timetable will run from November 30.

At present the service operates hourly from West Wick to Weston town centre and will now be re-routed to serve the Moor Lane and Griffen Road loop in Locking Castle Estate.

Deputy leader and executive member for transport Elfan Ap Rees, said: "I am pleased to say that Bakers Coaches have agreed to re-route the 16 service to minimise the impact on those residents who will lose access to the service 14.

"We can fund this by using section 106 money, which means there is no additional cost to the council tax payer but we cannot do this for other commercial routes, which could be withdrawn in the future."

Bus timetables can be downloaded at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/travel or contact the Sustainable Travel Team on 01934 426426 for information.