WE all want a town centre that’s pleasant, accessible, and thriving — not one choked by exhaust fumes and gridlock. Imagine a town centre free of unnecessary motor traffic. One that’s pleasant to walk around, without interminable waits for the green man to appear at crossing lights. With clean air, trees and public art.

This may seem utopian, but we must admit that we have allowed things to deteriorate to a state verging on awfulness. Vehicle emissions are the main cause of air pollution in towns like ours. It’s not just an environmental issue, it’s a public health concern too.

How can this vision be achieved? The solution isn’t banning cars or forcing drastic lifestyle changes, there will always be a need for some people to drive into town, but essentially the focus needs to shift from the needs of the motorist to that of the pedestrian.

An important ingredient will be to offer some motorists the option of using a bus service instead.

Not the unreliable, second-rate bus service that we have become accustomed to, but a clean, modern one with a punctuality that can be relied upon. One where there is real-time information at bus stops and the design of buses allows the safe carriage of shopping. A realistic alternative.

Public transport in the countryside has long suffered from a lack of investment, with buses that are infrequent and often consisting of old, unreliable stock that are unattractive to owners of modern cars. It is unsurprising then, that people living in the rural area around Wellington will want to drive into town. But many car journeys into the town centre are made by people who live in Wellington or Rockwell Green, specifically those living in the new housing estates that have been built in the last 15 years, such as at Monument View and Cades Farm. Is it time for those Wellington residents to be offered a ‘town’ bus service?

That’s for the future, but how do we start today? Recent changes in Wellington have thankfully moved the situation in the right direction. The bus operators have recently admitted shortcomings with the service to Taunton, so hopefully that will improve in the near future. The reintroduction of a bus service between Wellington and Wiveliscombe after a 10 year absence, albeit on a trial basis, is also welcome news. And we are starting to see the introduction of electric buses.

Every time we leave the car at home, we’re not just helping the planet, we’re helping our neighbours too with less traffic in town and cleaner air. So consider using the present bus service in spite of its shortcomings. You’ll be contributing to statistics that the bus operators and the county council will take notice of. They will respond to demand; it’s a virtuous cycle. The new trial route, which covers Langford Budville and Milverton, is just the beginning — but it only works if we use it. Take the bus and help ease the pressure on our lovely town.