COUNCILLORS have said that improved bus services in and out of Wellington are vital for the town’s future success.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s environment committee met on September 17 where they were asked to discuss Somerset Council’s draft local transport plan as part of a county-wide consultation.

Somerset Council’s transport spokesperson, Cllr Richard Wilkins, said in the consultation report: “Somerset's Local Transport Plan is a comprehensive strategy that reflects the community's priorities and addresses the challenges of modern transport.

“It is a plan that promotes integrated transport, connectivity, carbon reduction, improved air quality, road safety, and the balance between rural and urban living.

“As we move forward, we are committed to working with our communities, stakeholders, and partners to deliver a transport system that meets the needs of all residents and visitors.

“Together, we can build a greener, safer, and more connected Somerset.”

But the detailed 59-page consultation report – provided by Somerset Council – was largely ignored by local councillors as they focussed on bus services in Wellington.

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, said: “Until the bus services are sorted out, people will always keep using their cars.

“We want Wellington to be a place where people come, but they won’t if we can’t get buses coming here. We need a better rural bus service.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow said that a town council working group was looking at whether the authority could launch its own internal bus service.

“If it’s not affordable, it’s not affordable, but if it is we could look at it,” he said.

Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky said: “We need buses bringing people into Wellington and we need buses taking people out of the town as well.

“We’ve got all these hundreds of new homes being planned for Wellington, but we haven’t got the jobs here to support all these extra people – so they will need to travel elsewhere for work.”

Wellington has been described by Somerset Council in the consultation report as a “mid-sized town” and struggles with traffic problems in the town centre.

“Wellington is a focus for growth and increasing population will help to support local shops and amenities,” said the report.

“However, the town centre is centred around a crossroads that is susceptible to relatively high traffic and HGV flows as well as obstructive parking.

“The impact of the new train station and development opportunities will mean that there will be a chance to look at the wider transport network in and through the town that will provide new sustainable travel opportunities.”

The review has paired Wellington up with Chard and Crewkerne – two other mid-sized towns in Somerset – and has highlighted the need for better frequency and high-quality bus services to larger towns and to develop active travel links to and from new developments and local amenities.

It has also indicated a need to work with the private sector to provide more charging facilities for electric vehicles, although the review has at the same said it wants to “reduce dominance of vehicles in the town centres.”