THE village hall in Marchwood was packed for a recent meeting of the Bus Focus Group.

Although I was chairman, I really didn’t need to say anything.

It must have been crystal clear to the officers from Hampshire County Council and representatives from the Bluestar bus company that the village cannot be expected to continue without a late evening service and no services at all on Sundays and bank holidays.

The strength of feeling about this issue is so strong that it cannot be long before some sort of direct action is taken to prevent buses whizzing by along the Marchwood Bypass, leaving a village of nearly 6,000 people totally isolated.

I have tried every means I can think of to keep buses running through the village.

I sincerely hope that now we have some fresh representatives from the bus company common sense will break out and Marchwood will get the service it deserves.

CLLR DAVID HARRISON, County Councillor for Totton South and Marchwood.