Bungay Traffic Forum (BTF) has said it is "appalled" by the way major reductions to the Charcoal Line service between Halesworth, Bungay, and Norwich were introduced and warned the route could face a "downward spiral" if services are cut further.

The group's concerns come after Suffolk County Council (SCC) revealed both Suffolk and Norfolk councils are each contributing £103,000 to support the reduced service, but SCC expects to reduce this further in March 2027, with fears it would see Halesworth lose all First Bus services.

Bungay Traffic Forum said it is 'appalled' by the reductions to the bus service (Image: First Bus)

An SCC spokesman said: "Previously, the Halesworth – Bungay – Norwich was an hourly commercial service that ran from Monday to Saturday, but in 2023 Norfolk County Council had paid to enhance the service between Bungay and Norwich to be half-hourly and add a Sunday service.

"That funding expired in March 2026 and as the route is not carrying enough people to cover the costs the operator approached Suffolk County Council and Norfolk CC for help.

Town councillors Maya Severyn, Richard Laurence, with county councillor Peter Aiano at Bungay's Buttercross bus stop (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

"We found £80,000 each to keep it running with no changes from April to August, but passenger numbers have still not picked up, so as of September 1st........

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