Plans to alter bus services

RESIDENTS in Cowley Moor could see the frequency of bus services between the centre of Tiverton and their homes significantly reduced due to proposed cuts.

As part of plans to save £1.3 million, Devon County Council has withdrawn subsidies to many services which do not demonstrate commercial viability.

Proposed changes to the 348/9 service operated by Stagecoach would reduces the current half hourly service from Tiverton to Cowley Moor to hourly, which could result in overcrowding as well as greater inconvenience to passengers.

The service travels on a circular route around the town stopping at points including Beech Road, Rooks Way and Kennedy Way. A stop at Tiverton Business Park is to be discontinued.

Cuts are also set to effect service 347, which currently runs between Crediton and Tiverton, via Cheriton Fitzpaine, which will no longer go as far as Tiverton, with early and late services also to be withdrawn.

Devon County Council say Cheriton Fitzpaine will continue to be linked to Tiverton by service 870 on Tuesdays, but the well used Fare Car F9 taxi service which currently runs five times a day, six days a week, will run on Fridays only.

County councillor Des Hannon said he was concerned about the impact the proposed timetable reductions would have on people living in the Tiverton East area he represents.

Cllr Hannon said: “On a rural route like Cheriton Fitzpaine people lose the service that could get them to work or college.”

Devon County Council’s full council will meet on Thursday (February 17) to approve the budget for 2011/12 which include a range of budget cutting measures.

The council say its Tough Choices public consultation exercise held last year found that the majority of those surveyed felt public transport was less important than safeguarding services looking after children or offering care services for those who are elderly or disabled.