A SUNDAY bus service in Christchurch, which was axed in May, could be resurrected if councillors keep faith with their officers and agree to subsidise the route.

Yellow Buses altered its timetable at the end of May to end the number 22 half-hourly bus, which served the Somerford Estate.

The move sparked outcry from stranded weekend workers and shoppers who started a petition called Catch 22 If You Can - Give Us Back Our Buses, which collected more than 300 signatures.

Now officers at Christchurch Borough Council have recommended to councillors, who are meeting to discuss the petition on Wednesday (September 15), that they agree to subsidise the route if a letter asking the Bournemouth based bus company to reopen the route fails.

The bus company claims it stopped the Sunday service because the small number of passengers using that section of the route meant it could not cover its operating costs.

And it revealed it would not consider reinstating the Sunday bus service unless Christchurch Borough or Dorset County Council agreed to underwrite the £19,000 per year or £360 per day costs.

More than a year ago, Yellow Buses axed evening services on the estate leaving locals, many of them elderly, with a long walk to reach the nearest bus stop in Somerford Road.

The council's community services committee will meet to decide whether or not to refer the question of a subsidy to the resources committee for consideration.

Petition organiser Penny Wright, who relied on the bus to reach the King's Arms Hotel in Christchurch where she works, including Sundays and bank holidays, said: "I would be delighted if the council agreed to help sort the bus out. I think it's about time they did something for the people who live here."

First published: September 13