In response to a request from the Department for Transport (DfT) under the government’s ‘bus back better’ initiative, Somerset County Council has allocated up to £510,000 for the construction of a ‘rural mobility hub’. This move is part of a broader plan to enhance bus services on the Somerset Levels. The council’s bus service improvements plan (BSIP), formulated in late-2021, received nearly £12m in funding for various enhancements in April 2022.
Following the council’s transition to Somerset Council in April 2023, it was confirmed that the former bus station in Taunton will be revitalized using some of the remaining BSIP funding, with an expected reopening scheduled for 2025. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish a smaller hub in Somerton, promoting better integration of bus services in the area’s nearby towns and villages.
In tandem with these developments, a new demand-responsive transport trial has commenced in Somerton, introducing Digital Slinky minibuses that can be booked by local residents. The updated BSIP for 2024/25 outlines priorities ahead of the formal submission to the DfT for final approval and was shared before a meeting of the council’s planning and transport policy sub-committee on May 23.
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The proposed allocation of £510,000 from the BSIP funding will be dedicated to establishing the new hub. A spokesperson explained, “Subject to consultation, we plan to deliver a rural mobility hub to facilitate interchange between Somerset’s reviewed and modified bus network and plans for a new digital demand-responsive transport (DDRT) service operating in the Somerton/rural Yeovil area.”
This rural mobility hub is envisioned to provide sheltered interchange between scheduled bus services, connect with DDRT services, offer access to printed and electronic information via Somerset’s Think Travel portal, furnish real-time passenger information, and provide cycle storage. The project is currently in the advanced stages of concept design and is slated for completion by March 2025.
The precise location of the new hub in Somerton has not been disclosed, with highways officers collaborating with the heritage team and the town council to determine the most suitable site. Notably, significant housing developments on the western outskirts of Somerton are contributing to the need for improved transportation infrastructure. The council has also hinted at the likelihood of establishing a bus interchange off the B3165 Sutton Road if the DfT approves the business case for a new railway station in the town.
Furthermore, the council’s ongoing Digital Slinky trial, operational from May 28 to March 2026, serves Somerton, Langport, and numerous neighboring villages, offering a flexible and accessible transport option. This service caters to individuals without convenient access to traditional bus routes or private vehicles, filling a crucial mobility gap in the region.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and digital, remarked, “In a rural county like ours, demand-responsive transport has the potential to play a much bigger role going forward. People don’t always have easy access to a bus route or a car, or they may wish to leave their car at home. Digital Slinky is a great alternative, reliable, affordable, and easy to book. Anyone can use it. If this trial is successful, we will look at introducing the service into other areas in Somerset.”