The 126 bus service, a vital link between Wells and Weston-super-Mare, is set to resume operations in the new year.

The service will return thanks to a partnership between North Somerset Council and Somerset Council.

First West of England has been selected to operate the 126 bus from January 2, following a successful tendering process.

North Somerset and Somerset Councils jointly subsidise the route, which will run Monday to Saturday, approximately every two hours. The funding for this service comes from ring-fenced Government money allocated from the councils' Bus Service Improvement Plans.

Since September 2022, Somerset Council has subsidised a shorter version of the 126 services, covering Wells to Axbridge and operated by Libra Travel. The upcoming service is set to replace this shorter route.

The new, jointly-funded 126 service will serve communities along its route, including connections from Wells to Weston-super-Mare via Winscombe, Sandford Banwell, Hutton, and Weston Hospital. It's designed to provide timely journeys for school and college students, with links to Strode College, Wells Blue School, and Weston College.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council's Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: "We're really pleased to be able to offer this essential service in partnership with North Somerset. We know losing this important connection between Wells and Weston-super-Mare was a hammer blow to a lot of communities along the route.

"We have done what we can to keep communities between Wells and Axbridge connected, but we know getting the whole route back has continued to be a priority for residents and bus user groups. It's great we've been able to join forces with North Somerset and make this happen, thanks to the Government's Bus Service Improvement Grant."

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Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, also expressed her views: "We've been working hard with Somerset to get the 126 back up and running, so I'm really pleased that people living in Hutton, Locking, Banwell, Sandford and Winscombe will have a regular bus service again six days a week.

"It's been designed to work for school and college students, commuters, people accessing hospital appointments and shoppers, and I hope people will love having it back again. We've also been able to use this as an opportunity to respond to the call for a local bus from people living in the Worlebury area of Weston who will have a new number 9 service from January 2."