Isle of Wight Council leader Dave Stewart has negotiated a stay of execution over plans by Southern Vectis to reduce the Route 6 bus route to a winter timetable during the summer months.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the caretaker leader challenged the local bus company to think again about their proposals, which had been drawn up without consultation.
It has now been confirmed that Southern Vectis will consult with parish and town councils along the rural route following a meeting between Cllr Stewart and Southern Vectis’ general manager, Richard Tyldsley.
The popular route runs through Chale, Whitwell, Niton, Chillerton and Gatcombe and is financed in the winter by town and parish councils keen to see rural bus links kept alive.
Cllr Stewart has said:
“This was a constructive meeting, but one in which I made it clear to Southern Vectis it had acted very hastily proposing the axing of this route.
“This was especially regrettable when parish and town councils put money into keeping it running through the winter months, but then they are given no chance to make representations when Southern Vectis plans to stop the service.
“I’m delighted the company has now decided it needs to know what residents and councils think and it will consult on these plans, which have rightly caused concern to residents along the route and which I continue to oppose.
Article continues below this advertisement “This is not a victory and the plan still remains on the table, but it is a stay of execution and I hope Southern Vectis now listens carefully and decides that common sense must prevail and this route must run, as usual, this summer.”
