Campaign launched to restore village bus service

Winterbourne Steepleton, as well as Martinstown, had a bus service until 2014

A campaign, backed by a local MP, has been launched to bring back a village bus service.

Winterbourne Steepleton and Martinstown in Dorset used to have a service until 2014, when the bus operator decided it was taking too long to divert from the main road.

A campaign has now been launched to persuade First to take what is now the X51 service through the valley once again, at least for the summer.

It has been backed by West Dorset MP Chris Loder and the Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG).

Campaigner Les Scarth is asking local businesses and other organisations to support the call for changes by writing to the bus company.

Campaigners want a meeting with the company, in the hope that a recent management reorganisation might result in the new bosses taking a different view on the service.

Mr Scarf said the service was "well used" before it was reduced and eventually cut, and that many people were now turning to public transport to "ease traffic congestion and parking problems in towns plus to reduce pollution and carbon emissions".

"If First Bus agrees to run the X51 back through the Winterbourne Valley I am confident that it will find the service receives good usage for shopping, socializing and attending medical appointments," he said.