SIR — It appears that Somerset County Council seems to ignore any advice from whatever source regarding important transport issues that seriously affect West Somerset.

Firstly, the A39 Billbrook debacle. West Somerset councillors voiced their concerns to the county council weeks before the disastrous road closure, the chairman predicting quite correctly that "Watchet would be completely hammered".

Their suggestion that the works could be carried out at night was dismissed due to "safety reasons" connected with floodlight shadows. You can't criticise the excuse executive for thinking that one up quickly.

However, the guys doing the work should be congratulated. I drove through the works on Saturday November 9 at 7.15am and they were working hard in the damp and cold at that hour.

Secondly, the proposed withdrawal of funding for local buses, and in particular, the 106 Minehead to Doniford service.

According to the proposal document on the county's website, the reason for picking the 106 is that the route is already serviced by the 28 and 18 buses.

Again the council has failed to do its homework as neither of these go to Blue Anchor, South Road/Maglands in Watchet or Doniford.

Withdrawal of the 106 will leave many senior citizens and disabled people virtually stranded at home, not to mention the effect on tourism - many visitors staying at the four holiday camps on the route use the bus to travel to Minehead.

In fairness to the county council, it has posted an explanation and questionnaire on its website and I urge any reader with concerns to fill it out. Just search for "Bus Service Changes" on the site.

Maybe they may just listen . . . maybe.

Geoff Lees,

Mariners Way,

Watchet.