PARISH councillors in South Zeal are concerned that 'unacceptable delays' for bus drivers could lead to the loss of bus services through the village.
First Western National drivers have reported delays of up to 20 minutes in South Zeal because of obstructions caused by cars parking on the road.
Several letters have been received by the parish council from the bus company, the latest of which said if the matter could not be resolved the continuance of the Boscastle to Exeter service through South Zeal 'must be in question'.
The parish council has attempted to get over the seriousness of the situation to residents by way of leaflets and articles in the parish magazine and although there has been some improvement there is still a problem.
Parish councillor Ray Souness said it could be solved if people parked more sensibly or used the car park.
'It seems too much trouble for people to walk an extra 60 yards to the free car park,' he said.
There was room for up to 30 cars yet when it came to school arriving and leaving times the car park was almost empty and all the vehicles were blocking the roads, he said.
The councillor said vehicles parked on both sides of the road so it was a job sometimes for even a car to get through, let alone a bus.
'The trouble is the people who cause the obstruction are not the ones who use the bus so they are not really worried anyway.
'There is a very, very good bus service in South Zeal,' he said. 'We fought hard to get the buses which take people to and from work in Okehampton and Exeter and we must not lose them.'
Operations director at Western National Brian James said in his letter of December 23 that bus drivers were getting 'extremely fed up' with the situation and he could not blame them.
'It would appear certain residents in South Zeal have an awkward attitude towards the bus service.' he said.
He added that he hoped the matter could be resolved to the satisfaction of the users of the bus service and the drivers.
'If it cannot — quite clearly the continuance of the service through South Zeal must be in question, but that will be a matter between Devon County Council and this company, all assuming our drivers do not give up in complete despair.'
A spokeswoman for the county council said the authority was aware of the problem of cars parking inappropriately.
Possible parking restrictions on the road would be looked at in the first instance before any changes were made to the route, she said.
'We would hope the only changes made to a route or timetable would be because of a call from residents or the parish council but we will be discussing this with the bus company,' she said.