A CHANDLER’S Ford resident has been campaigning to prevent the scrapping of a bus service.

As previously reported, Stagecoach has announced that it will axe a number of routes from Peter Symonds College, including the 461 which travels to North Baddesley and Valley Park.

No replacement service for the 461 has been announced.

Now, Chandler’s Ford resident Susan Dorsett is campaigning to ensure that Hampshire County Council does not make any further bus service cuts to the area.

A Stagecoach busA Stagecoach bus (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: County council leader urges bus company to think again over cutting college services

She told the Chronicle: “The 461 is the college bus that has been withdrawn by Stagecoach.  What is left of the 46 service, which operated in tandem with the 461, is unusable most of the year unless HCC agree to alter the timings. For example, the morning service only runs in the holidays and the afternoon bus to Winchester gets in after the return journey time - basically, there is only one bus per weekday with no return service!

“I’ve been trying to get HCC to reconsider and to alter the timings. After repeated attempts, they are still refusing. So as Stagecoach foresaw, we have the waste of money and time in HCC insisting Stagecoach runs the bus empty anyway!

“During the holidays HCC still expects Stagecoach to run the bus past the closed college whereas residents need to access the Winchester County Hospital on the more direct, less costly route!

“Things have got worse because one of our supporters who is a resident of North Millers Dale, also on the 461 route, had been told that HCC is intending to also remove the 46 and the 44 bus services which will leave us, North Millers Dale, and Hiltingbury residents, stranded with no buses. This forms a substantial area of Chandler's Ford!”

In an attempt to raise awareness, Ms Dorsett has been campaigning for HCC and Stagecoach to work with residents to re-establish bus services connecting Knightswood and Valley Park to Winchester.

This campaign has seen support from Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis, as well as former Parliamentary candidate Sam Joynson.

SEE ALSO: Photos show state of Winchester bus station amid complaints

Ms Dorsett is asking for members of the public to write to Hampshire County Council and their MPs asking for them to support the campaign.

She continued: “Knightwood is approximately two-and-a-half miles from the Southampton/Winchester Bus route/Train station, which is too far to walk for people of all ages. The basic amenities of Chandlers Ford, such as healthcare, the post office, the bank, the library, and supermarkets, cannot be reached without a car.

“This situation is detrimental to local businesses, which affects the economy as a whole. Not to mention there is the environmental impact of growing traffic congestion and emissions.”