MAY I express appreciation for the local bus services provided in the Weymouth-Portland-Dorchester areas as operated mainly by First Group and, in a much smaller way, by both Damory and South West Coaches.

While some local areas are no longer served so well, which is regrettable, generally we have good frequency on the main routes when buses run on time.

Furthermore, I’d like to heap plenty of praise on our local bus drivers for such an excellent service they give us in the most difficult circumstances. Be aware that I am merely a frequent bus traveller and in no way connected with the bus companies; but I do understand the problems that confront the bus companies.

This year has presented them and their employees with extreme challenges with large-scale roadworks causing many months of delays, particularly in the towns of Dorchester and Weymouth. Detours have at times been inevitable and ongoing traffic queues are a daily problem for time-tabled bus services.

The major roadworks in Dorchester are scheduled for another three months while in Weymouth the King Street-Jubilee Clock snarl-up will be with us through all the summer – it’s a very impractical road system on the seafront!

So I appeal to all who are quick to criticise to sympathise with difficult situations that cause delayed buses and long queues at bus-stops. For example, three or four number 10s in a row is not by design. When such delays are caused, buses are in the wrong places, drivers’ essential rest periods need to be taken, with resulting over-crowding often leaving people at bus-stops while they wait for other delayed buses to arrive.

But none of this is the fault of bus drivers, so there’s no justification in having a go at them! Please try to understand the pressure under which they work.

DAVID JOHNSTON

Newberry Road, Weymouth