A PETITION has been presented to Somerset Council demanding it uses some of a near-£7 million Government grant to restore a bus service between Wiveliscombe and Wellington.

More than 1,360 people signed the online petition and paper copies of it.

The route was axed 10 years ago and bus user groups in both towns said ‘it has been very much missed by many people across these communities’.

The previous Wiveliscombe to Wellington bus also served the villages of Milverton and Langford Budville.

The bus user groups said Wellington offered shopping and health and sports facilities, while Wiveliscombe’s attraction included ‘fine pubs, local walks, and a regular Saturday market’.

A spokesperson said: “A bus service would provide residents in both towns with access to work opportunities as well as social contact with friends and families.

“The proposed opening of a railway station in Wellington is another reason for improved access from Wiveliscombe and nearby villages, as well as offering links to onward travel to Taunton and further afield to Bristol, London, and Plymouth by coach.”

The spokesperson said the council would soon receive £6.85 million in bus funding from central Government and now had to decide how the money was going to be allocated.

They said: “We believe we have a strong case that some of the money should go towards restoring this service and Somerset Bus Partnership, who are submitting proposals for allocation of the funding, have publicly backed our case.”

Anne Elliott-Day said on behalf of the two bus users groups the loss of the Wiveliscombe to Wellington bus was still ‘bitterly regretted by many’.

Ms Elliott-Day said: “For Wiveliscombe residents, who relate as much to Wellington as to Taunton for retail, employment, and medical services, a renewed bus service would also provide access to other regional and national travel links.

“For residents of Wellington, it would offer leisure and recreational opportunities and access to Exmoor.

“The old bus service also connected other communities, running through the villages of Milverton and Langford Budville, and provided access for bus users to both towns.

“Plans for a new railway station in Wellington and the extension of retail services in Wellington further strengthen the importance of connecting all these communities. “

Ms Elliott-Day said surveys had consistently shown support for the reinstatement of the bus service between the two towns.

She said: “We are now calling on local authorities and bus companies to take action.

“We believe local communities should have a say in where buses run.

“It should not just be down to decisions made by remote national bus companies or the council, which can appear to have a Taunton-centric perspective.”

Somerset Cllr Dave Mansell, who represents Wiveliscombe and surrounding areas, said: “I fully support this campaign.

“Our communities need better buses.

“It would be a great step forward to restore the service between Wiveliscombe and Wellington, alongside a more frequent 25 service into Taunton.

“The local bus user groups have done great work to make the case and show the strong support for these improvements.”