1 week Ago
The Damory number 49 runs on Tuesdays between Damerham and Salisbury city centre via Sandleheath, Fordingbridge and Downton. But Hampshire County Council will cut its funding later this year because it has too few passengers to be commercially viable. Damory has been running the service since April 2020, and one regular user believes it is a lifeline for people living in several New Forest villages.
Hampshire County Council says there are too few passengers for the service to be financially viable (Image: Newsquest) In a letter to the Journal , SC Turner said: “We the passengers that use the no 49 bus to Salisbury are really upset and angry because we have heard that the bus is being stopped in September. “Why? To save a small amount of money, we heard. “This bus service to Salisbury on a Tuesday has been running for years: first by Herrington, then Damory took over.
“This bus is a God send to the elderly and disabled. “Also, to the outlying villages that don’t have a regular bus service, such as Damerham, Sandleheath, Whitsbury, Outwick and Charlton All Saints. “There is never fewer than 12 people on the bus.
“If you live on the outskirts of Fordingbridge and are disabled, it’s a very long way to walk from the fire station to the post office to catch the X3. “But apart from this, there are new buildings going up all over the place on the outskirts of Fordingbridge. “We do know that we are not the only ones losing their service.
We don’t know who’s suggested the stoppages, but they need to think again.” The X3 service runs several times every day, connecting Salisbury and Bournemouth via Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Read more: Car parked in residential street has windows smashed Read more: Controversial plans to redevelop Old Sarum Airfield given green light When the Journal contacted Damory for comment, the bus company confirmed the 49 is a Hampshire County Council-run service.
A council spokesperson said: “Last autumn, in order to help the county council balance its budget for 2025/26, savings proposals were considered across 13 service areas, including passenger transport, following public consultation held earlier in the year. “The decision on passenger transport included approval to remove discretionary funding for local bus services that do not have sufficient numbers of passengers travelling to be commercially viable – this includes the 49 Damerham to Salisbury service.”.
