OFFWELL has been cut out of a bus service to Honiton because a newly introduced bus is unsuitable for country lanes.

OFFWELL has been cut out of a bus service to Honiton because a newly introduced bus is unsuitable for country lanes.However, the village is to benefit from a new door-to-door service.A spokesperson for Devon County Council told the Herald: "From May 16, Stagecoach won a renewed contract for the Monday to Saturday 380 bus route. The new contract requires new low-floor buses to be used, for which the narrow lanes to and from Offwell unfortunately are unsuitable. "This has meant that the 380 service has been withdrawn from Offwell, but the Tuesday route, 681, remains and we informed the parish council of this. "To reduce inconvenience to Offwell residents, we have extended the Fare Car service to Honiton which runs four times a day. "This is available to anyone to book and use."Under the Fare Car scheme, residents will be able to travel for �2.50 per journey.Local taxi firms offer the service through TRIP Community Transport Association, based in New Street.Neil Hurlock, of TRIP, said: " Devon County Council has expanded the F5 Fare Car service to include Offwell. This provides four trips into Honiton, arriving at 8am, 10.30am, 2pm and 6pm and five trips departing from Honiton at 9.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 16.30pm and 17.30pm. "These cost �2.50 per person per journey (bus passes cannot be used). "This service can be booked through the TRIP office anytime up to 4pm the day before travelling."To book a Fare Car, call 01404 46529.