Somerset Council 'has no power' over bus depot closures

Campaigners have raised concern over bus station closures in Somerset

Somerset Council has admitted it has no power to stop further closure of bus depots.

First Bus closed its Bridgwater base on 3 September, forcing drivers to commute to Taunton and other depots to sign for their shifts.

The company also confirmed in late-September that it intended to demolish its Yeovil depot in a bid to sell the site.

The council said it cannot intervene in commercial decisions by the operator.

Transport campaigner David Redgewell called on Somerset Council to intervene to protect any further depots from closing, arguing it could lead to services being cut and exacerbate driver shortages.

But councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for transport and digital said: "The council doesn't have the ability to intervene in any bus company's commercial management, either of their land holdings or their operational facilities - these are commercial decisions for the companies themselves."

'What progress?'

The council said it would do what it could on bus infrastructure which lay within its ownership, including the former Taunton bus station on Tower street.

Mr Redgewell made his plea when the full council met in Bridgwater on 27 September - though he was unable to attend the meeting in person.

He said: "With the closure of the First Bus depots in Bridgwater and the proposal to close Yeovil bus depot (with the provision of an out-station bus depot in Yeovil with provision for 12 buses), is this enough to grow the bus network in Yeovil and the surrounding area?

"What progress is being made on the reopening of the historic Taunton bus and coach station as a new transport hub with passengers' facilities, a waiting room, changing places toilets, refreshments, cycle hire and e-scooter hire?"

Mr Rigby responded: "With regard to reopening the bus station that First Bus closed a couple of years ago, we are out to public consultation on the layout and how that will operate in the period just before Christmas."

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