I spoke out during the County Council consultation as bus services are a crucial aspect of public transport and play a particularly important role in rural services such as North Dorset. My constituency, made up of market towns, small villages and hamlets, relies upon bus services as a crucial means of connecting those villages to towns. Particularly important is providing residents access to hospitals and medical treatment, educational facilities, job opportunities and shops.
The x12 bus route, in particular, acts as a vital lifeline connecting the small village of Sixpenny Handley to the larger towns of Salisbury, Blandford Forum and Poole. I have spoken to numerous residents, as well as local councillors, all of whom have outlined serious concern at the proposed cessation of this service and the risk that would carry in isolating those who rely upon it. This closure would be simply detrimental for local residents, which is why I have made my views known to the County Council.'