OUR regular hourly 84 bus service timetable for Whitchurch has been quietly dismantled. I have noticed no discussion about this cut at all.

Instead of a service that dovetailed with the 89 to provide a roughly half hourly service into Tavistock and back we shall have only four 84 buses during the day at roughly two hourly intervals. Combined this will provide an erratic non-coordinated bus service along our road. The service is now so vestigial that I would not be surprised if this is the first step in losing the 84 through Whitchurch altogether.

Whitchurch Road is becoming very congested and no doubt is difficult for buses. Further house building requiring access onto this road will only make this congestion worse increasing the temptation for First Group to remove this service permanently but people unable to drive depend on this service for their lifeline. There are many of us retired people, like me, in Whitchurch with free bus passes. By the time we can no longer drive it may be too late to wish we could take a bus from Whitchurch to Tavistock, Derriford or the world. We should fight for the retention of the 84 bus service through Tavistock and use it.

Pru Cooper

Whitchurch Road

Tavistock