Following the Cabinet meeting on October 14th, Hampshire County Council has decided to withdraw funding for the 74 bus service in Overton, as well as other passenger services across Hampshire. Despite significant opposition, including 5,000 representations and a formal request from the Parish Council to retain funding for this service, the decision has been made.
The 74 bus runs around the village on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, and is seen as a lifeline for elderly residents who find it difficult to travel into the centre of the village from Foxdown and Pond Close.
As a result, the Parish Council is committed to working with 74 bus users and Stagecoach to explore alternative funding sources to sustain the service or to develop a replacement option that can meet community needs in a new way. We will keep residents informed through upcoming editions of Overton News & Views.
This issue will be discussed further at the next Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, November 12th, at 7:30 pm in the Community Centre.