National Bus Pass holders in Sidmouth are able to use their pass earlier in the day following a temporary relaxation of restrictions in the area from today (Friday, March 20).

Devon County Council has worked with bus companies to remove the weekday restriction which would normally prevent pass holders from being able to use their pass before 9.30am. Pass holders in the Devon County Council area will now be able to use their bus pass for free travel on local services at any time of day.

The move is in response to fewer schoolchildren and commuters travelling during the coronavirus pandemic, which has freed up capacity on public transport. It will also enable older people to travel to stores which are offering early opening for over-70s.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for transport, said: "We want to make life as straight forward as possible during the current pandemic so we've worked in agreement with bus companies to temporarily remove the weekday restriction on National Bus Pass holders being able to use their pass before 9.30am. This is possible because of the reduced number of people travelling across the network at this time.

"We've seen a number of supermarkets open up their stores for older shoppers for the first hour of opening so it makes sense that, where possible, we help open up access to these services so that passengers can make it to their local shops and other essential services.

"Taking into account ongoing national travel advice, we are also working with our transport providers to maintain a network of services as much as possible for those people that rely on local bus services."