A BUS company which announced it was leaving Bridport Bus Station has changed its mind after negotiations with the council.

First Dorset announced that it would no longer be using the bus station and instead, vehicles would stop on Tannery Road after a new bus stop was installed by the company.

After negotiations with West Dorset District Council, who owns the bus station, First have decided it will continue to use the bus station. The dispute is believed to have been over the fee that First pays to the council in order to use the bus station - while other companies are charged a smaller amount.

A notice placed at the bus station earlier this week, said: "From April 1, 2017, First services X51, X52 and X53 will no longer stop in the coach station.

"A bus stop has been set up in Tannery Road just outside the bus station, and buses will stop there for the foreseeable future. Buses will not stop here.”

Cllr Ros Kayes, said it was "imperative" that bus companies continue to use the coach station.

She said: "I would like to thank Dorset County and Strategic Directors at West Dorset for getting onto this so quickly since I raised it with them at the weekend.

"It's imperative that we retain bus companies at the bus station, that all users share the costs equitably and that this valuable resource remains a transport hub for Bridport."

Concerns had been raised about the future viability of the bus station, had First pulled its buses from the site.

Alan Williams from West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG), said: "West Dorset District Council has been very difficult. They have been charging First a large sum of money.

"West Dorset District Council have not really spent any money on refurbishing their bus shelter.

"I know the town council would probably like to take over the bus station."

A West Dorset District Council spokeswoman, said: "First Bus and West Dorset District Council have been in discussions about the bus companies ongoing use of the bus station in Bridport.

"The district council and First Bus have reached an agreement which will see First Bus continue to use the site."

Nobody from First Dorset was available to comment when contacted by The News.