BRIDGWATER and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has expressed his appreciation for the new electric buses announced to serve Somerset.

It was announced last week that Somerset will receive 25 new electric buses thanks to a £14.7million investment which won't cost the council a single penny.

The new double-decker and single-decker buses will be funded by a £2.2 million grant from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Area scheme, along with a £12.5 in investment from First Bus South which operates Buses of Somerset.

Read more: Somerset to receive 25 new electric buses from investment

Mr Liddell-Grainger, one of the harshest critics of the condition of Somerset's current buses, said the new fleet will not only make for more comfortable commutes, but also reduce congestion on our roads.

“People have been reluctant to make more use of the current bus fleet because the vehicles are clapped-out, cold, draughty and unreliable,” he said.

“In contrast, they are going to find using the new ones a bit like space travel.

“But I have no doubt that once people realise that they are now being served by a fleet of modern, comfortable buses - and if we can  use any lingering time-keeping issues - they will migrate in their droves to leaving their cars at home and making Somerset roads less congested and safer for everyone."