Extra time for bus services facing axe

BUS services under threat in and around Dorchester have been given a reprieve.

Damory Coaches has agreed to run the routes until 14th April instead of axing them in mid-February as planned.

The Blandford-based company is in talks with Dorset County Council to look for alternative arrangements to continue the services.

The threatened routes include services 1 to 4 in Dorchester and the number 7 route from Dorchester to Charminster and Charlton Down.

Damory also wants to drop a school service, the 103 to Wool, Bovington and Lulworth and the 347/387 to Poole.

The company took over the services with others last summer but claims they are not viable.

Damory Coaches managing director Andrew Wickham said: "I am disappointed that we can no longer run these services on a commercial basis, which we have done without financial support.

"Unfortunately, the number of passengers is simply too low to cover the costs.

"We run a number of long-standing other services in Dorset which will continue unchanged."

Peter Finney, the county council cabinet member for transportation, said: "It is vital that communities in and around Dorchester have an adequate bus service.

"County council transport experts will now work rapidly to develop options to try to prevent any serious break in service."