THE number 67 bus service is set for the axe in the new year.

As reported in the Weekly News, the bus route was under threat after the cash-strapped Somerset County Council, which stepped in to fund the bus after the sudden demise of previous operator WebberBus, was reviewing its funding.

The council has now confirmed the service, which runs between Wells, Wedmore and Burnham, will be axed from December 31 as no operator came forward to run the route.

It’s been described as a ‘huge loss’ to the town by one councillor.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “The County Council spends around £1.6m subsidising bus services across the county, but the huge pressure on all its budgets means it cannot afford to continue the arrangements costing an extra £22,000 per a month.  “The average number of passengers per trip on the C and F services is four, and seven on the 67.

“In the coming weeks transport officers will be contacting bus operators and parish councils to see if there are opportunities for community-supported, no or low-cost alternatives that the council can encourage and support to fill some of the gaps.  “The County Council continues to fund the Slinky service and financially support demand responsive Community Transport schemes by covering half the cost of fares for journeys made using concessionary bus passes.

“Alternative arrangements will be available for County Ticket holders who use the services to get to college.”

Councillor David Fothergill, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said:“We have done our best but unfortunately no operators want to run these routes because they are not viable,”  “The Council’s financial position is well-documented, with falling funding and increased costs, and we cannot afford to carry on paying this extra money for these routes.  “We will do what we can to assist communities if they have ideas for alternatives, for example through community car share schemes or changing the areas covered by Community Transport schemes.”

But Phil Harvey, Councillor for Burnham said it is a loss when the bus service is gone in December.  He said: “It is such a loss that it will be gone.  “It will be a loss to people want to go to Wells and other surrounding areas and will no longer have a service to use, especially to those living in Burnham and in Wedmore.  “It is going to be the elderly who lose out the most when the service is gone.  “I don’t know how much of an effect it will have on tourism but I hope that it is not lasting.”

Councillors whose wards are covered by the buses have been notified of the planned decision.

Parishes councils will be contacted from next week and students will be notified of alternative arrangements once these have been agreed.