A vital bus service for residents of west Dorset could be handed a lifeline.  

The Axe Valley Ring and Ride service, which provides transportation for elderly and vulnerable people across more than 30 remote villages in the area, looked set to be scrapped at the end of the year.

Due to financial difficulties following the impact of Covid and a lack of funding, users were notified that it will no longer be available in west Dorset following 22 years of service - although it would continue in east Devon where there is financial support from local authorities.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said they had not received a request for formal funding since 2019 - however they are ‘currently discussing the matter with the charity (which runs the service) to explore potential sources of funding’ so that the service can continue.

West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG) chairman Bob Driscoll said that the council’s comments were ‘encouraging’.

The service currently offers the chance for elderly residents to do their shopping and attend appointments in Bridport, Dorchester, Axminster, Chard and Crewkerne, with three buses rotating between zones and services every Wednesday for a single or return price of £6.

It has already been reported that the service will continue to operate in east Devon following grants from Devon County Council, reported to be in the region of £20k each year.

Uplyme and Lyme Regis services will still run as they are supported independently, and will be added to the Zone 1 route.

At the time, Sue Wilkinson from Bridport said: “Its loss will be devastating for many older people who rely on this service, which gets them out of their homes, where they can meet people and benefit from being a bit more independent."

Mrs Wilkinson had been using the service since January following her retirement last year, and has benefitted from the service, as she has been able to go on trips to Sidmouth, Totnes and Taunton thanks to the service.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

The villages currently affected by the decision are on the Zone 3, 5 and 6 routes; Askerswell, Beaminster, Bettiscombe, Broadwindsor, Burstock, Hooke, Mapperton, Mosterton, Netherbury, North Poorton, Pilsdon, Catherston Leweston, Charmouth, Marshwood, Stanton St Gabriel, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine Allington, Bothenhampton, Bradpole, Bridport, Burton Bradstock, Chideock, Chilcombe, Loders, Puncknowle, Powerstock, Shipton Gorge, Swyre and Symondsbury.