Residents from Bude, Holsworthy and beyond have been dismayed at the news of a vital bus service potentially being removed.

It was recently announced that Stagecoach would be reviewing some of its services across both Cornwall and Devon, which included the 6A /6 bus route. This particular bus offers transportation from Bude to Exeter, through Holsworthy and Okehampton and is one of the only few links that allow some residents to travel to the Devon based city, where many go for both work and schooling.

Following the news, one Holsworthy local has started a petition to try and appeal this decision.

Katie Lyle said: “Many people like myself in the local area are in low paid part-time jobs. We cannot afford to pay for a car let alone keep one on the road. I use the bus to get to the train station to take my five-year-old on days out. These will all have to stop.

“Elderly people use this to get about as they too don’t feel confident enough driving in and around a city.

“I have already booked a holiday with needed train connections from Exeter St David’s. If I can’t get there myself and my daughter will miss out on our only holiday.”

Katie then proceeded to set up a petition to appeal to the public, which at the time the Post went to press stood at 2,014 signatures. She also wrote to Devon County and Holsworthy Rural Councillor, Barry Parsons for his support.

Following the news, Cllr Parsons has been critical of the statement released from the bus company, which stated ‘Potential to curtail some journeys at Okehampton. Working with Devon County Council on finalised proposals.’

Cllr Parsons explained: “From a Devon County Council perspective the county council is also receiving comments critical of Stagecoach’s consultation material. In several places it’s unhelpfully worded, gives insufficient detail as to the intentions and is causing unnecessary anxiety for many people.

“The consultation refers to a ‘potential to curtail some journeys at Okehampton.’ Stagecoach is obliged to register their confirmed intentions in advance of implementation and this process allows the authorities to consider a response which can involve consideration of additional supported journeys to replace any withdrawals. Devon’s response would normally be in the context of our support criteria and available budget. We’re not in a position to act further until we see the detail of any proposals.”

Despite the 6/6A service being mostly commercially operated by Stagecoach, both Devon and Cornwall councils equally support certain journeys, 5.40am, Bude — Exeter; 10.20am Launceston — Exeter; 3.23pm Bude — Exeter; 7.50am Exeter — Launceston; 12.40pm Exeter — Bude via Launceston; and the 5.45pm Exeter — Bude. According to Cllr Parsons the council support, in practice, puts one additional vehicle into the system, the main purpose of which is to increase capacity at peak times. The annual cost is £37,282 to Devon plus the same amount to Cornwall.

The councils also support the entire Sunday service at an annual cost of £8,669 to Devon plus the same amount to Cornwall.

The councils’ financial support does not cover the whole service but just the specific journeys.

Cllr Parsons added: “There is no direct threat to their continuation, unless Stagecoach opt to give notice on the contract — which the county council does not expect to happen.

“Please be assured that I take this matter very seriously and am disappointed at the manner in which this consultation has been presented. I am and will be doing all I can to ensure that our rural communities are not disadvantaged further in terms of public transport.”

MP for Torridge and West Devon, Geoffrey Cox (Conservative) has also acknowledged how vital this particular route is for many within his constituency. He said: “I am very concerned to learn of the proposed changes to the Stagecoach 6/6A bus service from Bude, Okehampton, Exeter, which would see the potential curtailment of some of these services at Okehampton. Many of my constituents rely on this service to get to work, school and to access important facilities such as dentists, doctors, hospitals and banks. It is therefore imperative that the service continues as it is, and I have made strong representations to Stagecoach stressing this.”

Similarly, across the border, MP for North Cornwall, Scott Mann (Cons) has offered his support to ensure better connectivity for the local community. He added: “I will be engaging on the consultation process on behalf of Bude residents, and I have a meeting with Stagecoach this week to discuss the service.

“I very recently held a meeting with the head of transport for Cornwall Council, and I was briefed on the very exciting new contract; including one-hundred new buses coming to Cornwall in March, new routes, and £1 around town buses. There will be news about connections in the new contract concerning Exeter and Okehampton from Bude, although we are still awaiting details of this.

“I will continue to support any local groups, and the council, as we seek better connectivity for our North Cornwall community.”

When asked about the potential removal of some of the Stagecoach services a spokesperson from the bus company said: “We are reviewing the service, particularly some of the poorly used sections but will be having discussions with the relevant county councils to preserve the service as far as possible.”