CHANGES have been made to four Dorset bus routes.

Bus operator First Wessex has revealed there will be revisions made to its Jurassic Coaster services, which will be in place from tomorrow - Sunday, November 22.

These changes will affect service 1, which runs from Weymouth to Portland via Lyme Regis, service 10, which runs from Weymouth to Poundbury via Dorchester, the X51 service, which runs from Dorchester to Axminster via Bridport, and the X53 service, which runs from Weymouth to Axminster, via Bridport.

The small adjustments that have been made to services 1 and 10 are to improve the punctuality of the routes. No buses are being cut and there are no frequency changes. Timings are being slightly tweaked so services run more to schedule.

First Wessex has introduced a revised winter timetable for both the X51 and X53. The changes have been made so that the timetable aligns better the the schedule at Axminster Train Station.

Unlike in previous winters, the X53 will continue to operate seven days a week.

The X51 will operate from Mondays to Saturdays with no Sunday service - meaning there will be no direct route from Axminster or Bridport to Dorchester on Sundays. Passengers wishing to travel to Dorchester may still do so by changing at Weymouth and catching the number 10 bus.

First Wessex stated it used local feedback for the improvements to both services and hopes that customers travelling to and from Axminster Train Station will experience improved connections between the bus and train timetables.

Carol Sim, Operations Manager for First Wessex said: “We saw an opportunity to improve journeys for customers needing to catch a connection train in Axminster station. The changes we are bringing in are the result of feedback we have received from the community, and we would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who contacted us with suggestions.”

Those with the 'First Bus' smartphone app are able to see in real time the location of any First Wessex buses, along with the amount a time before a bus is due to arrive at a given bus stop. It also shows how many seats are available and if the wheelchair space is in use or not.

As the timetables have been changed, customers are strongly advised to check bus times before travelling.