ALTERATIONS to the bus timetable serving Okehampton will 'put pressure on rural services' according to one town councillor.

From April 15, Stagecoach will no longer operate its X9 bus departing from Okehampton to Exeter at 9.25am, and the returning bus leaving Exeter at 10.55am.

The bus provides a link to Exeter St David's rail station, dropping people off in time to catch the 10.23am train to Bristol, Birmingham and beyond.

The X9 service to Exeter will now depart from West Street at 7.35am and 10.05am.

Cllr Dr Michael Ireland regularly uses the buses serving the town to complete his commute to and from Plymouth. He is concerned the withdrawal of the 9.25am X9 service will put additional pressure on the Western Greyhound 510 and 599 services, which he states are already 'jam-packed'.

Western Greyhound themselves have made alterations to their services, effective from April 15, in an effort to improve services.

Dr Ireland said: 'I see people regularly catch the bus to get the train connection at 10.23am at Exeter to Bristol, Birmingham and beyond. It is a serious issue.

'There will now be more pressure on the 599 rural service, which leaves at around the same time.

'This services goes via the villages like Sticklepath and Whiddon Down.

'I've had comments from people who believe it will now be so busy they will not be able to get on it.

'The removal of the X9 cuts our so-called "fast service" to Exeter and will put pressure on rural services. Plenty of people use that bus so it is important, and a matter of local concern.'

A Stagecoach spokesperson commented: 'We are withdrawing the 0935 X9 to Exeter because we have another journey running through from Bude and Holsworthy at 1005 and the number of passengers can easily be carried on the same bus.

'This simple economy is being made at the same time as we are improving the service at other times of day, with an earlier journey from Exeter to Okehampton, Holsworthy and Bude and a later journey back.'

Following Cllr Ireland's comments at the council's latest meeting, the council is to request a representative from Western Greyhound visit the council to discuss the issue and provision of services.