A CALL has been made for a tweak to West Somerset’s No 25 and 28 bus services to make it easier for patients to reach Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton.

Somerset Bus Partnership’s Rosa Kell said access to the hospital continued to be a significant concern, particularly for those without the use of a car.

However, Ms Kell said there was ‘a simple and deliverable opportunity’ to make an immediate improvement by allowing the buses to stop outside the Market House, in The Parade, Taunton.

Ms Kell said passengers could then change to the park and ride bus serving Musgrove Park Hospital which stopped on the other side of the building.

She said: “This represents a low-cost, high-impact solution that would benefit patients, staff, and visitors alike, removing a key barrier to accessing healthcare.

“I understand the current barrier relates to updating onboard systems for next stop announcements and timetable data to ensure clarity for passengers and drivers.

“This is an operational issue rather than a physical constraint and should be capable of being resolved quickly.”

Ms Kell asked Somerset Council to work with First Bus to urgently resolve the required system updates and bring in the change by the end of the month.

Somerset executive Cllr Richard Wilkins said he was supportive of the idea.

Cllr Wilkins said: “We understand from the operator that there are some technical issues they wish to address before this can be implemented, but we are working with the operator to try and expedite this change as soon as possible.

“I am taking a personal interest in us moving this forward as quickly as possible.”

The 25 bus service runs from Dulverton via Wiveliscombe and Milverton, while the 28 operates from Minehead via Watchet and Williton, with both services currently stopping in Castle Way, Taunton.