MORE than 200 people packed into a meeting about the future of Southill bus service in Weymouth.

The meeting was called to enable residents who had signed a petition forcing First Bus to do a partial U-turn on cutting the service to hear about future plans.

But residents still want more changes as some residents will not have a service under the revised plans.

Last week the Echo reported how Southill and Radipole residents gathered 1,057 signatures for their petition to save the bus through Radipole Village in 72 hours.

The new number five bus to Radipole and Southill will be merged with the Lanehouse number nine service as of January 31.

The bus will run throughout the day in a loop to Weymouth town and back.

However, under the new plans residents of Southill Garden Drive will still not have a bus service.

Representatives from First Bus attended the meeting to answer questions from residents about the new bus route and timetable.

Southill protestor Yvonne Hall said: “The meeting was very well attended and there were so many people that we had to move from Southill Community Centre to the church hall because it was so packed.

“We are going to try and get some signage up to warn people not to park in Radipole Village so that the buses can turn.

“We are also hoping that some restricted parking signs or lanes can be put along that way.

“We had Mark Williams come along as a representative for First Bus and talk to the group and explain the changes. I think we gave them a lot to think about.

“He said they may go away and think about the proposals further.”

One of the many ideas suggested at the meeting was that some elderly residents who had bus passes would be prepared to pay 50 pence towards the cost of the bus fare.

Mrs Hall added that the meeting had been very positive but there was more work to do. Because their petition had more than 1,000 signatures the protesters will be able to speak at the next Dorset County Council full council meeting on February 17.

Mrs Hall said: “The campaign is going from strength to strength.

“We are still looking at getting signage on the turning areas in Radipole and will co-ordinated meetings so that people can get together about it. It’s not over yet.”

* Dorset County Council’s public transport manager, David Coates, said: “Although we are pleased that First Bus altered their proposals to continue serving Radipole Village and Southill, the revised service means the bus will no longer run along Southill Garden Drive.

“Residents from Southill who have difficulty in walking to the bus stops in Radipole Lane may be eligible to use the council’s dial-a-ride service, where a specially adapted bus with trained staff can collect residents from their front door and take them to either Weymouth or Dorchester town centres.”

For more information about the dial-a-ride scheme call Dorset Passenger Transport service on 01305 221736.