Archive for the ‘Buses’ Category

Number 5 Bus Saved!

by Andy Canning on 15 January, 2018

I have been working very hard with Cllr Nick Ireland to ensure that there is some sort of day time bus service for Crossways, Broadmayne, West Knighton, Warmwell and Osmington. After much behind the scenes negotiation Damory have confirmed this morning that they are willing to run an ‘experimental’ service up to September. More details […]

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End of the Road for Rural Buses!

by Andy Canning on 21 July, 2017

A huge Thank You to the 4,500 people who signed my petition to save our local bus services and to all those who collected signatures. This is the largest petition, that I am aware of, to have ever been presented to the County Council. It has had some effect, but alas, not enough. Way back […]

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Last Chance for Bus Services

by Andy Canning on 23 May, 2017

Last week I handed in a 4,500 strong petition at County Hall calling on the County Council to think again about it’s policy of cutting so many bus routes. This is the largest local petition I’ve ever heard of!  It clearly shows how worried residents are about becoming isolated and stuck at home. On July […]

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Bus Services Devastated

by Andy Canning on 2 February, 2017

Dorset County Council has announced that it is cutting the number of bus services that it supports from 35 down to just 7! This will have a devastating effect on everyone who doesn’t have access to a car. It will increase isolation as those on low incomes, poor mobility and the elderly, who live anywhere […]

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Pay Rise for Senior Staff Unjustifiable

by Andy Canning on 21 July, 2016

Despite strong protests and a lively debate the County Council agreed today to give many of its senior staff a substantial pay rise. At a time of major job cuts and cuts in services this seems to me to be totally unjustifiable.  Altogether it will cost tax payers £65,000 that could have been spent on […]

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A Bus for Martinstown

by Andy Canning on 17 September, 2014

Starting in November bus 211 will come into the village as far as the Post Office to provide a better service for residents.  It will leave Martinstown at 09.25 to go to Weymouth and leave there to return at 14.15 – giving you about four hours.  Then at 14.48 it will leave Martinstown to go […]

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Daily Bus Service Restored to West Stafford

by Andy Canning on 16 September, 2014

After months of negotiations West Stafford will get back a weekday daily bus service from November.  We have succeeded in persuading Damory to re-route the 101 to pick up in West Stafford at 09.02 and to come back at 11.24.  This is in addition to the Wednesday only 103 service.  I believe this is really […]

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Save the 31 Bus Service!

by Andy Canning on 9 April, 2014

First Bus Group have recently announced plans to withdraw their hourly bus service from Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton and run the 31 service along the A35 instead.  First Bus are proposing just one early service to Dorchester for workers and a return at the end of the afternoon.  This will leave Martinstown with just the 211 […]

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Mixed News for Rural Buses

by Andy Canning on 4 December, 2013

Our campaign to save the Saturday service on local bus routes certainly made an impact at County Hall.  The 800 strong petition, my lobbying plus all of the letters and e-mails helped make some difference.  In the end our efforts saved three Saturday bus routes and got some services partially restored but unfortunately a lot are still […]

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Dorchester Buses Saved!

by Andy Canning on 6 November, 2013

The good news is that the Saturday bus service on routes 1, 2 and 6 have been saved!  So far over 800 people have signed the Save Our Buses petition and it’s clearly having an effect at County Hall.  The final decision about the future of the village services has been postponed until December 4th.

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