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Somerset Council has awarded a new contract for its No1 bus service between Yeovil and Shepton Mallet.
Following concerns about the financial viability of the route the current operator, South West Coaches handed in their notice. An agreement which followed a tendering process with South West Coaches will offer a new revised version of the service from 15th April 2024.
Somerset Council has made some changes to the route including focusing on a two-hour daytime frequency between the towns as well as a Saturday service which provides three journeys in each direction. Connections are maintained for students at Castle Cary for onward travel to and from Strode College.
However, entitled school children who were using some of the variations from the main route will now be served through amendments to our school contract network. All parents of entitled school children will be notified by Somerset Council in due course of their new travel arrangements.
Dangerous driving behaviours are the focus of a new Somerset Council campaign aimed at reducing fatal collisions on the county’s roads.
The Fatal Five campaign, backed by Avon and Somerset Police and led by Somerset Council’s Road Safety Team, highlights the key behaviours which can contribute to serious or fatal collisions.
Tragically, 30 people died while travelling on Somerset’s roads in 2023 – this is nearly 43 per cent up on the figure for 2022 and the highest number of fatalities in 10 years. In four of the incidents more than one person died.
The Fatal 5
There is no particular cause or issue thought to be responsible for the increase, and according to Avon and Somerset Police 76 per cent of the collisions involve one or more of the following five behaviours:
• Intoxicated driving, (drink or drugs)
• Careless or inconsiderate driving
• Excessive Speed
• Mobile phone use or distraction, or
• Failing to wear a seatbelt.
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