A FREE community bus service which provided the only public transport link for remote villages between Minehead and Bridgwater has been axed by Hinkley Point’s EDF Energy after representations from Stogursey Parish Council.

Started four years ago, the community service ran three times a day in each direction, replacing the previous Number 14 commercial service which had become uneconomic.

Parish council chairman Cllr Chris Morgan said the service had been suspended because of health and safety concerns and difficulties in ensuring that the Government’s coronavirus guidelines were followed.

He said: “The decision was taken by representatives of the parish council in consultation with EDF Energy. The service will be under regular review and will be reinstated once we have come through the present national emergency.”

This leaves West Somerset with only one regular bus route – the Buses of Somerset 28 service between Taunton and Minehead, which now runs every hour, instead of every 30 minutes, and will be reviewed after Easter.

The Minehead town service and buses from Minehead to Porlock, both operated by Ridlers’ Coaches, have already been suspended.

Cllr Morgan said: “The free HP3 service was much used and greatly appreciated and we were reluctant to take this very difficult decision. But safe-distancing could not be guaranteed on the buses and the health risks were too great.”

But county councillor Hugh Davies, who was involved in setting up the original scheme, said this week: “I think the decision is a knee-jerk reaction and totally wrong. Why have they stopped the free service when national services are still operating?

“The service is a lifeline for many people who live off the beaten track and I hope we can find a way of reviving it safely as soon as possible.”