Published: April 9, 2012
Town council won't take over cost of running Saturday bus service

A bus service that runs between Highbridge and Burnham-On-Sea on Saturdays has been formally axed after the cash-strapped town council decided it would be too expensive to run.

The 113 service was saved from Somerset County Council cuts to bus services earlier this year after 540 residents signed a petition, as first reported here by Burnham-On-Sea.com.

However, Somerset County Council cut the Saturday service in response to the feedback it received from users during its consultation period.

Town councillors have been told over the past week that it would cost £7,500 a year to take over and run a full Saturday service, comprising of two morning and two afternoon trips.

Cllr Chris Williams, pictured, who led the campaign to save the services, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I could not recommend spending such a large sum. I think there are better ways that we can spend the money. At least bus users have a service from Monday to Friday and can organise their shopping and other visits around it."

The County Council also recently withdrew funding for Burnham's evening Route 21 service, pictured, which goes to Taunton and Bridgwater.