TALKS are to continue to re-start a town bus service for Lyme Regis – possibly with the help of Government funding.

Transport campaigner David Redgewell says he is hopeful that some of the £3.85million recently given to Dorset Council by the Government to improve public transport can be used to re-launch a town service.

The 71 town service, operated by Damory and partly funded by the town council, was lost in the summer after the linked service between Lyme and Charmouth primary school was changed, with a larger vehicle being replaced by a smaller bus.

David Redgewell from the South West Transport Network told Dorset Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday evening that the changes resulted in the loss of the public town service – a blow to those with disabilities or partially sighted, struggling with the town’s hills.

He questioned why the change to the 16-seat bus for the school route was not discussed by Dorset Council with Lyme Regis Town Council, stakeholders and passengers’ groups or at the public Transport forum of West Dorset Transport Action Group before the change was made.

Cabinet spokesperson Cllr Jon Andrews told the Cabinet meeting that the primary school bus service had to be changed from a 32-seat bus to the minibus because the larger vehicle was too big for some roads and the service was only used by 11 pupils – with others continuing to need taxis to school because they could not access the bus.

Cllr Andrews pledged that  Dorset Council transport experts would offer help and advice to the town council in their effort to re-start a town bus service, independently of any links with school transport.

Lyme Regis Town Council is currently appealing for volunteer drivers and passenger assistants to run a town service with a deadline for helpers to step forward by the end of November.

The council is hoping to run a minibus service, with the days and times of operation to be confirmed, depending on volunteer availability.

Said Mayor Cllr Philip Evans: “We haven’t had a town bus service in Lyme Regis since August and I know how much local residents are missing it. It really is a lifeline for some people and the town council remains steadfastly committed to relaunching the service.”