Funding approved for new and continuing bus routes H1/H2 for Hythe, Netley View, Butts Ash, Dibden Purlieu and Dibden; T3/T4 for Calmore, Totton, Woodlands, Bartley and Winsor; and new 120 service for New Milton, Bashley, Tiptoe, Sway, Hordle and Lymington

FUNDING to continue bus services in the Waterside has been agreed by Hampshire County Council.

The H1/H2 service, which covers Hythe, Netley View, Butts Ash, Dibden Purlieu and Dibden and runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, will remain unchanged.

The T3/T4, which covers Calmore, Totton, Woodlands, Bartley and Winsor and runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, will also run as it does currently.

A new 120 service, which replaces the former New Forest Call and Go (Cango) bookable service that was available to residents in New Milton, Bashley, Tiptoe, Sway, Hordle and Lymington, was also approved.

In total the services, which were last tendered in 2016 and include routes in Romsey and Eastleigh, will see investment of £372,940 by the council.

The council’s cabinet member for universal services, Cllr Nick Adams-King, approved the budget.

It will be funded through a contribution of £112,591 from the council’s public bus budget, with £105,971 from the home to school transport budget.

The remaining £154,378 will be met by the local transport fund.

A HCC-compiled report said the council was only able to offer one year contracts due to the tendering process being higher than previously.

As reported in the A&T, the Cango service was a bookable route, which was available to pick up and drop off passengers at chosen locations, as well as calling at regular stops.

However, this was axed after the county council sought to make savings of £800,000 from its passenger transport budget.

The new 120 service will now run on a fixed timetable from 1st September from Monday to Saturday.

For timetables, visit www.travelinesw.com