Posted on behalf of Wiveliscombe and Wellington bus user groups

Our two towns are 7 miles apart. In the past, we were connected by a bus service the loss of which is still bitterly regretted by many. For Wiveliscombe residents, who relate as much to Wellington as to Taunton for retail, employment and medical services, a renewed bus service would also provide access to other regional and national travel links. For residents of Wellington it would offer leisure and recreational opportunities and access to Exmoor. The old bus service also connected other communities, running through the villages of Milverton and Langford Budville, and provided access for bus users to both towns; restoring the service would also serve those communities. 

Plans for a new railway station in Wellington and the extension of retail services in Wellington further strengthen the importance of connecting all these communities. 

Surveys have consistently shown support for the reinstatement of this bus service and we are now calling on local authorities and bus companies to take action. We believe local communities should have a say in where buses run. It should not just be down to decisions made by remote national bus companies or the Council which can appear to have a Taunton-centric perspective. 

We are launching this petition to demonstrate the level of support that exists for the service to be reinstated – please show your support and sign this petition which will be live until 21 December 2024.