Campaigners to save the 82 Tyning-Radstock to Paulton bus service had arranged to present the petition to save the 82 bus at the first full Council meeting of B&NES Council on 25 May, which by coincidence is the final date for submitting nomination papers for the Paulton ward Councillor elections. Cllr Liz Hardman of Paulton Parish Council was going to address the Council on behalf Paulton Parish Council and Paulton residents, both those who otherwise will be isolated, and the schoolchildren who need it to get to Midsomer Norton schools. A few days ago she was told this would breach ‘purdah‘ rules – even though she is not an official candidate yet.

However, it is the injustice done to Westfield residents which is most outrageous.  Mrs Marion Harrington, (89), who has been leading the protests and is Westfield Parish Council’s Inspirational Citizen of the Year, was going to speak about how it would affect those who cannot walk far on Westfield Waterside and the isolation and dependence on others she will suffer. She points out that young mums with pushchairs and shopping will suffer equally. She is being silenced, and cannot even present the petition, which has hundreds of signatures on it. She says it is an outrage and an insult to democracy.

As a Councillor for Westfield, I am going to make some proposals for how rural bus services in general can be saved. The WECA green WESTLINK mini-buses will never be able to ferry all the 140 regular daily passengers on the 82, and in any case it was never intended, with only 16 buses covering the whole of B&NES Council area to replace regular services.