BUS services between Wellington and Wiveliscombe are being restored next month as Somerset Council provides funding for a trial period.

A No 27 bus will run twice a week between Wiveliscombe, West Monkton, and Wellington.

It is part of a package of improvements to bus services across the county funded by a £6 million tranche of Government grant.

Somerset's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) will also see continuing support for evening buses on the No 22 route to Wellington and the No 28 for Minehead, and continued backing for a No 14 Cannington to Bridgwater bus.

Other routes where improvements are planned include the No 25 service from Dulverton to Taunton, and No 26 bus from Dulverton to Wiveliscombe.

Park and ride fares in Taunton will remain £1 for a single journey and work will continue on Taunton’s transport hub on the site of the former bus station in Castle Way.

A priority traffic lights system for buses, work on which has been started in Taunton, will also be installed in Bridgwater to help buses avoid delays and ensure timetabled stops are more reliable.

The roll out of digital demand responsive transport will continue with the Slinky bus services in Wellington and Sedgemoor.

The news delighted the Wivey-Welly Bus User Group, which has been campaigning to restore bus services between Wiveliscombe and Wellington.

Somerset Council executive Cllr Richard Wilkins said: “We are really delighted to be able to make this vital investment in bus services across Somerset.

“Making bus travel a more attractive, reliable option is crucial to increasing bus patronage and ensuring more routes are financially viable.

“It is also really important in terms of ensuring our transport choices are more sustainable in Somerset.”