A NAILSEA bus company has stepped in to save some supported routes scrapped by North Somerset Council.

The Times reported last month North Somerset Council wants to cut the amount it spends subsidising bus services by �340,000 for 2012/13, meaning some routes will be axed and others merged.

Passengers in Wraxall were told its 354 evening and Sunday services will be withdrawn, with the authority saying it will monitor the impacts and discuss options with First Group for evening changes.

However North Somerset Coaches, based in Southfield Road, has announced it will partially replace the 354 evening service by providing an extra evening journey on its X54 service from Bristol to Nailsea at 7pm.

North Somerset Council has promised low level funding to start the service and the coach firm hopes it will become self-financing.

The company will also be introducing a 7.43pm journey from Nailsea to Bristol on Fridays and all X54s will stop at Wraxall from April 1.

Other Nailsea and Backwell buses will remain unchanged.

The company’s owner David Fricker wrote to Nailsea Town Council’s planning and environmental committee who met on Wednesday night.

Replying to the letter, town clerk Ian Morrell said: “Thank you for the excellent work you are doing in maintaining and developing local bus services.”