Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge’s MP says the county council’s decision to halt plans to scrap a vital bus service in the area demonstrates how ‘people power’ can work.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here last week that Somerset County Council had decided not to axe the 113 bus service – which runs from Berrow to Highbridge station, passing through several large estates as well as local doctors surgeries, following a campaign by hundreds of residents.
MP Tessa Munt told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “This is fantastic, I’m absolutely delighted. It is a fine example of how people power and a strong bit of teamwork can make things happen.”
“I saw dozens of people and had hundreds of letters and emails about this bus service and even Norman Baker, the Minister for Transport is well aware of the impact that cutting this bus service would have had to people living and working in Highbridge, Burnham, Berrow and the surrounding areas.”
“Central government has made extra money available to relieve the pressure on County Council bus budgets so that services such as the 113 could be saved.”
The council said it fully considered the views of Burnham and Highbridge residents in coming to the decision that it will continue funding for the 113 bus service, apart from on Saturdays.
The service had been earmarked for the axe as part of cash-saving proposals, however, as we first reported here, more than 540 residents across Burnham and Highbridge signed a petition urging the council to re-think the plans.
