X53 bus service resumes normal route following B3157 works

The X53 Jurassic Coaster - which serves communities in east Devon and west Dorset - was temporarily diverted via Winterbourne Abbas while the B3157 Portesham roadworks were ongoing.

Ordinarily this bus would serve communities such as Abbotsbury and Burton Bradstock along the Coast Road.

The Coast Road was shut to traffic in both directions from September 30 to allow Wessex Water’s £200,000 six-week project to replace ageing water mains to take place.

A free temporary shuttle bus service, funded by Wessex Water, ran between Abbotsbury and Bridport while the roadworks were ongoing. 

X53 Jurassic Coaster (Image: Supplied)Works were originally due to finish on November 8 however the route reopened on October 28 - more than a week ahead of schedule. 

As such the X53 resumed its normal scheduled route on Sunday, November 3 and the temporary shuttle bus service ended. 

The service has previously been described as a "lifeline" for local residents and tourists alike who want to experience west Dorset.

READ MORE: First Bus to reinstate earlier X53 bus service from July 6

Bob Driscoll, committee member of the transport lobby group, West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG) said this is welcome news for many rural residents. 

He said: "It was a relief and everyone is delighted that it was brought forward. 

"It was inconvenient but everyone knew it was only for a finite period, the bus company made the best they could do of a difficult situation."

Bob Driscoll, committee member of West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group While he described it as welcome news, Mr Driscoll had initial concerns that such a short notice timetable change might confuse people, especially those who were waiting for the shuttle bus.

He added: "We were anxious about whether he message had not got out to such a short notice change. 

"They had put an update on Facebook and Twitter but those who don't use it might have not been informed.

"There was a danger that people would be waiting for the shuttle bus service which ran to a totally different timetable. They could have been inconvenienced waiting for a service that no longer existed. 

"If they left things as they were and continued with originally arrangements it might have stopped confused. 

"Communication is the key and as long as people are aware of the change then it is fine."

First Bus told the News that the early end to disruption caused by any diversion is positive and the company wouldn't continue to run a diversion service for any longer than was necessary. 

The roadworks caused widespread disruption across west Dorset. 

As reported by the News, businesses in Abbotsbury had been impacted by the road closures, with many saying that their sales ‘had gone down.’

The work follows another recent closure on the B3157 at Abbotsbury Hill which caused "chaos" due to the lack of notice. 

The X53 service was previously at risk when First announced plans to withdraw the Sunday service. It was saved thanks to a donation by Bridport pensioner Alan Williams who also previously financed First's X53 service between Bridport and Weymouth in 2019.