MANY people in the wider rural areas around Crediton have expressed concern about bus route and timetable changes announced by Stagecoach, which could have a significant impact for those who rely on such services.

Stagecoach South West said that the changes were designed to simplify the timetable and ensure the service is commercially viable.

It is understood that services 5A, Exeter, Crediton, Copplestone continuing to Hatherleigh and Okehampton; 5B travelling on to Winkleigh, Great Torrington and Barnstaple and 5C, on to Lapford and Chulmleigh could be cut from October 30, but, as yet, details are unclear and unconfirmed.

Other changes across the county are also believed to be scheduled.

There is however some hope that services will not be drastically cut.

In an email published by Cllr Frank Letch, the County Councillor for Crediton, on social media with regard to services affecting Bow, there is an indication of hope.

Rachel Phillips, Senior Transport Officer, Information and National Bus Strategy, from the Transport Co-Ordination Service at Devon County Council wrote: “Stagecoach have given us notice on a number of subsidised service contracts including the 5A and 5B which serve Bow.

“I believe Stagecoach hope to get a press release out early next week with further details.

“I can confirm we have retendered these services and are in the process of securing new contracts.

“Unfortunately it is too early to give any further detail, but we are doing our best to preserve frequency and capacity on the route, though it may not be a 100 per cent like-for-like replacement.

“Sorry for being so vague at this point, however we will provide full details when all of the new services are confirmed and registered -which should hopefully be by the end of this week.

“I hope this offers some reassurance.”

PUBLIC INQUIRY

Mid Devon District Councillors recently voted to lobby for improved bus services across the district.

Cllr Woollatt, ward member for Cullompton North, brought forward the motion for the district council to contact the service provider Stagecoach, Devon County Council, the Traffic Commissioner and local MPs, following the recent changes to bus services in Mid Devon.

The motion expressed concern regarding changes to routes and also seeks the reinstatement of route sections which have been removed, where the removal is found to have had a detrimental effect on some protected groups of people.

The motion also outlined issues with the reliability of the current services, timetable connection problems and the impact on young people travelling by bus to school or college.

Cllr Woollatt, said: “As changes have affected all parts of the district I felt that we should, as a council, raise our concerns to the relevant bodies on behalf of all our residents.

“I am pleased to hear there is going to be a public inquiry.

“I hope that something can be done to address the current unreliability of the service being provided and that the impacts of the cuts, particularly where changes to routes have left communities with little to no service, will be considered.”

As part of the motion, councillors also wanted to make the public aware of how they can feedback their concerns, ahead of an inquiry into the route and timetable changes.

Stagecoach Devon has been called by the Traffic Commissioner to a Public Inquiry on October 27.

The Traffic Commissioner has requested that a body of evidence be brought forward to inform their decision.

As such, members of the public are encouraged to submit comments or complaints regarding Stagecoach service reliability to: [email protected] by October 6. All personal information will be redacted prior to sending to the Traffic Commissioner.