BUS passengers in Chiseldon will lose their regular 20 minute service into town from this weekend – and commuters have been warned that other services could be at risk if the numbers aren’t viable.

Stagecoach’s Service 8 which runs through Chiseldon to Freshbrook will be withdrawn tomorrow, bringing an end to the regular link with Swindon town centre and West Swindon.

Those relying on public transport will instead have to use one of two services that will run hourly into town.

In a letter to residents, Chiseldon Parish Council’s transport representative David Hill explained some of the reasons behind the closure of the service.

He said: “There was not enough usage of this bus and also they did not pick up as many passengers from the hospital as they expected.

“There were problems in the evening rush, getting over Junction 15 which caused the bus to run late at the other end of the route at Freshbrook.

“The replacement will be an hourly bus service though the village of Chiseldon, with one hour being the Service 80 to Marlborough and the second hour will be the new 81 to Wroughton.

“Both services will split at the Patriot Arms roundabout.

“One good result is that we will have a bus service on the back road B4005 connecting Chiseldon with Wroughton again; with one chance in Wroughton High Street to Service 9 to get to Waitrose at Wichelstowe and Old Town.

“The Borough Council has withdrawn all the funding for the Service 71 which means that this new Service 81 will be run on a commercial basis.

“If the new services are not successful they are likely to be withdrawn within the next six months, which will mean we only have the Salisbury Reds X5 service on the main road and the Service 80, two hourly through the village.”

The end of the Service 8 follows swiftly after Salisbury Reds rerouted their X5 service to only call at the main road in Chiseldon in a bid to save time.

The bus company said that usage was low through the village and added that other services cover the area.

Over the summer, residents concerned at the reduction in bus services through Chiseldon, led by 15-year-old campaigner Kayley Cole, drummed up more than 600 signatures of support to keep regular bus services running through the village.

Last month Wiltshire Council said it would be cutting its subsides for bus travel across the county by £500,000.

But the cut was only a fifth of the £5.5million that was originally proposed. Cabinet member for transport Philip Whitehead said the overwhelming response from people about potential cuts had moulded the recommendation.

He claimed people will still be able to make around 97 per cent of journeys in the county.

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