A SOMERSET councillor has hit out at “three hour service gaps” between busses from Wiveliscombe to Taunton.

Commenting, Cllr Dave Mansell said:  “The new timetable for the 25 bus route is to be published soon. Bus users will be very disappointed to see 3-hour service gaps between the first services of the day from Wiveliscombe and Milverton to Taunton and between the last services of the day returning from Taunton.

“There will no longer be a 9.30 from Wiveliscombe, which has been popular with college students and shoppers. The double deckers used on the 25 are often full on both the 7.40 am and 9.30 am from Wiveliscombe once they get into Taunton.

“From April 15, the second bus of the day will not leave until 10.40 am, which will be too late for many students and end late-morning trips to Taunton.

“Even with council support, First Bus is failing to provide the level of service needed by bus users. There will be less buses on the 25 route and some remaining are at the wrong times. I continue to press for better timings, but hopes are now fading and the service looks set to reduce from 15 April.

“More positively, a working group, involving parish and town councils and local bus user groups, is now being planned to look for better options, such as new community buses and restoring a service between Wiveliscombe and Wellington. This will not be easy and take time, but some of us are determined to see what can be achieved.”

Announcing the changes, a spokesperson for First Bus said: “Timetable changes have been designed to improve punctuality on the network, helping passengers' journeys and keeping Somerset moving. 

“Working closely with Somerset Council and local user groups, the changes take into account amends to the 25 and 28. These include retiming evening services on the 28 to align with trains serving Taunton station, as well as the X28, a new express service from Taunton to Butlins in the summer.

“In addition, a brand new service 22B will serve the Wellesley Park area of Wellington.”