Winsham fears the loss of bus service (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Winsham fears the loss of bus service

8:10am Friday 27th January 2012 in Chard

VILLAGERS in Winsham are worried that proposed bus service cuts could leave them isolated from the rest of the community.

MP David Laws has taken up the village’s plight and warned Somerset County Council that reduced services would be harmful to Winsham.

The council wants to cut its funding to bus companies, which means the single bus route serving Winsham could be lost.

The withdrawal of the Number 90 bus route would leave Winsham with no public transport, stoking fears that people without cars would be unable to travel to nearby towns and amenities.

Mr Laws said: “The removal of the Number 90 bus route will leave Winsham completely isolated from the rest of the community. There appears to have been no thought given to those who don’t own cars and how they might access local hospitals, schools and shops if the bus service were stopped.

“What will the many elderly people who live in Winsham do if they can no longer rely on public transport?”

The council announced plans to cut some of its bus service subsidies just before Christmas. It also launched a five-week public consultation.

The council’s highways spokesman, Cllr Harvey Siggs, said: “It is a hugely difficult decision but we just won’t have the finances to keep subsidising services as we do.”

Mr Laws added: “At the very least the council should look at re-routing other buses to make sure the residents of Winsham aren’t cut off.”