A NUMBER of bus routes which looked prime for the chop could be spared following the results of a Somerset County Council consultation.

More than 1,300 people responded with their views and the council has used this feedback to put together a final proposal which will go before cabinet on Monday, February 8.

Following the consultation and after considering the impact of any changes, the County Council is now proposing not to withdraw funding from the following services:

51 Stoke St. Gregory – Taunton. Saturday Services

414/424 Frome – Midsomer Norton. Saturday Services

669 Shepton Mallet – Street. Saturday Services

1 Yeovil – Shepton Mallet. Saturday Services

667 Wincanton – Street. Saturday Services

29 Street – Taunton. Monday-Saturday

38 Huish Episcopi extension. Monday-Friday.

This does mean funding will be withdrawn for the Bridgwater Town Service, the 20 service from Seaton to Taunton, the 22 from between Tiverton/Cullompton and Taunton, the 25 Dulverton to Taunton service, the 198 Dulverton-Minehead service and the 113 between Highbridge and Berrow.

The Bridgwater Town Service will operate commercially while many of the others will see reductions in services.

Cllr David Fothergill, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our consultation. Your views really do matter and I’m pleased we’ve been able to adapt our proposals to protect some of the routes which were most important to you.

“Please let me stress again that the decision to remove any funding for public transport is not taken lightly. I’d rather we weren’t in this position, but with our funding from Government continuing to fall we are having to look closely at all areas of spending, even important services like buses.”

The proposals would save nearly £500,000 and come as the County Council looks to bridge a budget gap of around £27m to balance its budget for 2016/17. This is because Government funding is falling and demand for council services is rising.

If the proposed changes are agreed, Somerset County Council would still be spending £1.5m on bus subsidies in the next financial year.