Hundreds of people have signed a petition to save a ‘lifeline’ bus service in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge which looks set to be axed due to council financial cuts.
Somerset County Council’s consultation on the proposed cuts runs until Monday January 11th, as first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com in November.
Service 113, which runs from Highbridge to Berrow on five return journeys per day and is operated by Hatch Green Coaches, is set to be withdrawn.
A council spokesman said: “Other public bus routes are available within walking distance and a slinky service is also available in the area.”
600 people in Burnham and Highbridge have signed the petition organised by bus user June Gibson, pictured with fellow user Patty Shinn.
June, who travels daily on the bus between Burnham and Highbridge, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There’s a lot of support to halt these cutbacks. The 113 bus service is used by people of all ages who say it is a lifeline to keep them moving.”
“The Hatch Green bus is the only service that collects people from the local estates – Morland, Rosewood and along Love Lane – and runs regularly between Burnham and Highbridge. It’s also the only bus that connects with Highbridge Railway Station. It would be terrible to lose it.”
She added: “I’m pleased to have collected 600 signatures and I just hope we can persuade the County Council to reconsider the proposals.”
Another local service affected is Service 67 which runs from Burnham-On-Sea to Wookey Hole and is operated by WebberBus, pictured below.
The council’s proposal is to withdraw its funding contribution, thereby requiring the service to be run on a fully commercial basis, which could put its future at risk.
The proposed cuts come as the county council tries to adjust its budget with an expected loss of 20% from its current Government funding by 2019.
To find out more about the consultation before the deadline on January 11th and have your say, go to the council’s website here.
June added: “I thank all the shops in Burnham who supported us by allowing the surveys to be placed in their businesses.”
“A big thank you also goes to all those who have either signed the petition or got in contact with the council direct to encourage them to re-think their plans.”
