People power gives hope for bus service

10:13am Thursday 23rd October 2008

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South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns has welcomed a stay of execution given to a vital bus service linking Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen.

One hundred and fifty protesters turned up at a public meeting held in New Hedges last week to discuss the issue. A 1,000 signature petition calling for it to stay was collected in just three days.

“There has been huge public demand for this service to stay and I am delighted that Silcox Coaches is willing to keep the service running for two days a week,” said Mrs Burns.

“The sheer number of people who signed the petition and who were willing to come to the meeting at short notice reveals the depth of need for this bus route.”

Mrs Burns will now present the petition to the Welsh Assembly’s petitions committee.

“This is a real case of people power winning the day,” she added. “However, a reduced service is not ideal and I have already spoken to Carmarthenshire County Council chief executive Mark James and Pembrokeshire County Council’s transport department about the situation.

“I am also keen to try to tap into alternatives sources of funding to try to reinstate the daily service.”