Campaigners are looking into the idea of bringing back a bus route to run from Sutton Poyntz into Weymouth town centre.

Currently, there is no bus service from the village of Sutton Poyntz into Preston, or beyond, and Dorset Council Cllr for Preston and Littlemoor, Louie O'Leary is leading the charge on trying to develop a service for the village.

Speaking at a recent public meeting, Cllr O'Leary revealed that discussions with local bus provider First Bus have taken place about the possibility of a new service to the village.

There has not been a bus route running from the village since the 4a service was pulled several years ago.    

Cllr O'Leary said: “We are looking for a new bus for Sutton Poyntz. I have had several meetings and have another meeting should take place after February 26.

“Bringing back the 4a service in its old format is not viable though.

"A slight change by sending it down Littlemoor Road and Dorchester Road and to the retail park where the new Marks and Spencer's will be and into town and back.

He added: "It is a type of a 4a but amended to make it viable  it would be a lot more sensible.

“We are looking at possibly servicing the park and ride – we are really pushing on that.”

Whilst there are no concrete plans in place yet, Cllr O'Leary is hopeful that in the coming weeks discussions with bus providers can progress and a solution can be found as the infrastructure is already in place.

Cllr O'Leary said “In the next couple of weeks I will be speaking with the area manager of First Bus to discuss that (new bus route from Sutton Poyntz) and we are in talks with other bus providers, talking about the same sort of scheme.

"We wouldn’t need to install any new bus stops as they are all already there."

Improving the bus services has been a priority of local councillors who in July held a public meeting to discuss the needs of residents. 

In September, First Bus reinstated its winter bus service for the number 4 bus from Weymouth King's Statue to Seven Acres Road, Preston via Chalbury Corner as a trial.

That route previously only ran Monday-Saturday, and is now available from 10am until 4pm every Sunday.

Improvements have also made to the number 2 service which runs to Littlemoor. This route was extended down to Chalbury Corner in the evenings.

A First Bus spokesperson said: “We’re currently reviewing our entire network in Dorset, which we do twice a year in line with our Enhanced Partnership agreement with Dorset Council.

"Throughout this period, we’re working closely with local councillors, and bus user groups on our plans for bus routes.”