THE president of a campaign group has spoken out over plans to withdraw a ‘vital’ bus service.

Scrapping the number 6 service, which serves Lanehouse and the lower part of Chickerell Road in Weymouth, will leave elderly people ‘isolated’, said Mike Kelly, of the Weymouth and Portland Access Group.

First’s website states the withdrawal of the route - which takes effect from tomorrow - is for the winter months only, but Mr Kelly said he fears the change may be permanent. A spokesman for First confirmed the change will be permanent and the number 6 service will not be returning after the winter.

First previously did not respond to requests for confirmation over whether the service is being withdrawn permanently or just for the winter, but have since responded to confirm that the change is permanent.

Mr Kelly also raised concerns about what he said was a ‘lack of notice’ about the withdrawal of the service.

He said: “I attend panel meetings with First on behalf of the access group and, at a meeting earlier this week, it was made quite clear that the change was permanent because the route is unprofitable.”

He also raised concerns about how little notice was given to passengers about the changes.

The Weymouth and Portland Access Group is a voluntary organisation which aims to help people who have physical or sensory disabilities. Improving access to public transport is one of their central interests.

Mr Kelly said: “Many elderly people are dependent on the bus. One lady in Lanehouse is 95, another nearly 90 and there are many more in their 70s. I do wonder what will happen when this service is no longer running.

“I suspect many will not be going out as often – that has a big negative effect on people’s mental and physical health.”

Mr Kelly added that he welcomed recent changes introduced by First and other companies to make public transport more accessible – such as RTPI, more room to park wheelchairs and pushchairs and announcements at bus stops – but said the withdrawal of services threatens to ‘reverse’ good work being done in other areas.

First said that ‘significant changes’ are coming into effect for the winter timetable on Sunday.

Most routes will be unchanged, although some frequencies will be decreased and a new service linking Wool, Lulworth, Crossways and Osmington with Weymouth will be added.

Simon Newport, general manager of First Wessex, said: “Service 6 has underperformed for a number of years. There are not enough full-fare paying passengers to make the service sustainable, and a substantial number of passengers use concessionary passes. Unfortunately we receive one of the lowest reimbursement rates for carrying concessionary customers compared to the rest of the country.

“As the local transport authority Dorset County Council have been notified of the changes to this service and our other winter changes. They also receive copies of the paperwork that we complete to make changes eight weeks prior to the changes take effect.

“Some parts of this route are covered by other services operated by First and some by other operators.”