Dorset Council Challenged Over Major Cuts to X51 and X53 Bus Services

jerrycooke87
Sep 17
2 min read

Representatives of Weymouth, Dorchester and Western Area (Bridport/Lyme Regis) Transport Action Groups (TAGs)* met Dorset Council on Monday 15^th September to express their very serious concerns about the reductions in key local bus services.

From Sunday 21 September when the winter timetable starts, bus routes X51 and X53 are being unacceptably reduced. Cllr Jon Andrews was in the Chair with support from Cllr Derek Beer and Dorset Council Officers.

TAG representatives felt overall that the meeting was very disappointing in that no specific actions were agreed by Dorset Council to correct the serious deficiencies in the new timetable.

Particular concern was raised over:

· The lack of connections at Axminster Station affecting people going to school, college and work

· The 4 hr 15 minute gap in the afternoon service Monday to Friday from Dorchester to Bridport

· The elimination of any meaningful service between Bridport and Dorchester on Saturdays and

· Later first and earlier last buses on both routes.

The TAGs also expressed their grave concern over the complete lack of consultation on these proposals with insufficient time to provide meaningful feedback.

Stewart Palmer, Chair of Dorchester TAG, said “The TAG view is that these changes are bad for bus users and will lead to a further decline in bus use on these 2 key routes linking Weymouth and Dorchester with Bridport, Lyme Regis and Axminster.

These proposals are also at variance with the stated policies of Dorset Council to promote bus travel and improve bus services”.

Cllr Andrews agreed to examine the issues the TAGs raised with First Group (the bus operator) as a matter of urgency and to attempt to negotiate a better outcome for residents and visitors.

All the TAGs involved urge affected residents to contact both their M.P. and their Dorset Councillor to raise their objections to these changes.

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*TAGs are local voluntary bodies who lobby for improved transport of all kinds, not just buses, and provide detailed local input to transport providers and Councils.