VILLAGERS will not be left “stranded” after a new company agreed to take over the 99 bus route from Chard to Taunton.

Buses of Somerset will be providing a commercial route that will see vehicles set off from Chard Boden Street at 7.30am, 9.50am, 11.50am, 1.50pm, 3.50pm and 6.10pm.

The service looked like it could be lost after the current provider, Stagecoach, announced that they will cease to provide the route from October 29.

Last week, it was revealed that it was a statutory requirement to provide a bus route for students travelling from Chard to Taunton, but the future of the commercial route during the day was still in doubt.

County councillor Nigel Pearson had been campaigning for a permanent solution to be found before the end of October.

Following the latest announcement, he said: “Obviously it is good news that Buses of Somerset are taking it over.

“It looks as though we have the same number of journeys but a slightly different timetable.

“I am sure that the council and the operator have looked at this and decided this is the best away to run it.

“If people still have problems with the proposed route I would urge them to get in touch with me, the county council, or Buses of Somerset.”

MP Marcus Fysh said: “That is great news. It is an important route from Chard up to Taunton. A lot of young people in particular use the route so this is certainly good news for residents.”

District councillor Martin Wale, whose ward includes Combe St Nicholas and the surrounding villages, said: “This is really good news. Thankfully the emphasis is now back onto the people of Chard and Combe St Nicholas to use it.

“I am delighted. It was not only the future of the bus that was under threat but many spin offs relating to the futures of the villages.”

Alex Carter, managing director of the Buses of Somerset, said: "We are delighted to add a second Chard-Taunton route to our Buses of Somerset network, replacing Stagecoach's 99 service when it ceases at the end of October.

"Our bus will run approximately every two hours, which we believe is the level of service that can be commercially sustained without County Council financial support. We do hope people will use our service to ensure its continued operation."