HAMPSHIRE County Council has announced plans to replace vital Mini Link bus services.

Until yesterday Mini Link served customers from Southampton to Harefield and Chandler's Ford to Eastleigh.

The county council plans to replace the bus operator's C1 service - from Chandler's Ford and Eastleigh - to help residents in those areas.

Mini Link shut on Monday, having previously been due to shut in early October.

The bus operator has closed due to the owner's poor health and bus driver shortages. 

READ MORE: Southampton Mini Link bus service will close despite support

Councillor Edward Heron, Executive Lead Member for Transport and Environment Strategy, said the plans to replace the service have been slowed down due to bus driver shortages. 

He said: "The loss of the C1 Service is unfortunate.

"Decisions to withdraw, reduce or cancel services are taken by bus operators, independently of local authorities. We know that they are not taken lightly.

"Southampton Mini Link began to operate their C1 service between Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh as a commercial venture following Xelabus's withdrawal of its X6/X7 service.

"We are working with Eastleigh Borough Council, as well as Chandler’s Ford Parish Council... with a view to establishing a community-based replacement service which will also serve residents in Hiltingbury – as the previous X6/X7 service had.

"Our progress on this has been difficult to date due to an unprecedented shortage of transport operators coupled with the nationwide driver shortage.

"We hope to be able to issue a tender for a replacement service in due course.

"In the meantime, residents who are eligible may wish to consider making use of the local Dial-a-Ride service, if they are not already doing so."

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