An Exmouth woman is considering a petition or protest against changes to the local Stagecoach bus timetable.

Julie Read lives in Brixington with her husband and her 88-year-old mother, who currently uses the number 57 bus to get from her home to Exeter for hospital appointments, shopping and seeing friends.

But from April 14 the number 57 will operate between Exmouth Parade and Exeter bus station only. Julie’s mother, and other Brixington residents, will have to take a new number 99 bus to  Rolle Street, and then walk to Exmouth Parade to catch the number 57 on to Exeter.

This will be a real problem for Julie’s mother, who has limited mobility.

Julie said: “If this bus service changes she won’t be able to go anywhere and she’s upset about that. I think this will affect a lot of other elderly people who depend on this bus to get into Exeter.”

Julie would like to hear from other Exmouth residents who would be willing to join her in a peaceful protest or sign a petition asking Stagecoach to reconsider the changes. She can be contacted on 01395 268 033.

Stagecoach has justified the timetable change on the grounds that there was low demand for the direct Brixington to Exeter service.

Announcing the change, the company said: “Following a review of data and surveys on reliability, punctuality and passenger flows and demand, significant changes to the route and timetable are introduced. With low demand for travel across Exmouth, the route will be separated in Exmouth Town Centre to ensure passengers will benefit from a more reliable and punctual service.”

Full details of all the timetable changes being introduced next month can be seen here: