A bus route saved after a campaign will be extending its timetable from the end of January.

The First bus company confirmed that, from January 28, 2024, there will be an additional round trip from the Number 3 Westham and Southill bus service leaving at 5pm from the King's Statue.

It currently runs every weekday, 9.30am to 2.20pm, starting and finishing at Weymouth King’s Statue.

Although there are only a few trips it is seen as a lifeline for communities which previously didn't have a bus service.

Southill resident Terry Hirons led a petition to get a bus back in Southill after almost ten years without a regular service. More than 700 signatures were collected from Southill residents which, following a successful service trial, led to a First bus service being reinstated over the winter months. It also serves Westham which had lost its service.

After additional concerns were raised to him that the bus service finished too early, Mr Hirons contacted councillors and First bus representatives.  

He said: “It was a lot of hard work, but it was well worth it in the end. There are so many invalid and blind people who use the bus but there’s also a lot of young people with children.

“They’re over the moon. They’re so happy now they’ve got a bus back, even the younger ones. It means that in the school holidays they can take their children down to the beach meaning that in the school holidays they can take their children down to the beach. So, it’s good for the young ones as well as the old ones.”

First confirmed they were able to extend the timetable due to the additional funding from the Dorset Council back in September 2022 where they agreed to financially support the route until April 2024.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “The residents of Southill requested a change in the timetable so that they could spend an afternoon in town. They suggested replacing the 2pm bus with a 5pm one.

“We talked to First bus who have been able to put an additional bus on at 5pm at no extra cost to the council. So, it’s good news all round.”