Calling on Cabinet Member for Transport at B&NES, Cllr Manda Rigby, to inform all Cllrs at B&NES of the impending changes to the bus services in the West of England Authority (WECA) from the 1st September 2021.
On 25th August I was informed by a resident that bus services across WECA are to be reduced. It does seem rather alarming that this reduction in services, which will effect many residents was not shared with all ward Cllrs across the region. WECA and B&NES have declared a climate emergency and are committed to reducing the impact of the private vehicle use due to the need to meet CO2 emission targets as well as the impact private vehicle use has on congestion, pollution and public health. Yet there has been no notification of this reduction in services to residents. I have written to Cllr Rigby asking for information on this. See email below.
Dear Cllr Rigby
I have been informed by David Redgewell that a number of bus services in the WECA region are to reduced from the 1st September 2021. Please can you confirm to all Cllrs in B&NES what is the position on this matter? What is B&NES doing particularly with regard to services in the B&NES area, but also in light of the fact that many residents move across the WECA region?It would be useful for all Cllrs to be notified of bus service reductions. Can you therefore assure all B&NES Cllrs that from now on you will update of us of any bus service reductions as soon as this is known?
I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Cllr Joanna Wright
Here are the bus service reductions from the 1st September 2021 in the Bristol and Bath city region.
regarding west of England combined authority and North SomersetThe service 18 is being withdrawn from kingswood Town centre warmley North common willsbridge keynsham. All journeys withdrawn. Then Saltford Newbridge Weston and Bath spa bus and coach station.
Service 5 Bristol city centre St Paul s Eastville park, Stapleton village Fishponds,oidbury court Downend .Service withdrawn. 37 Bristol to Bath spa bus station. Lawrence hill station st George park Hanham longwell green Bitton
Kelston weston Bath spa bus station. No service. At all .No evening service on Service T 2 Bristol bus station Gloucester road Filton Patchway cribbs causeway bus station Alverston and Thornbury. No evening or Sunday services.
Y2 Bristol bus and coach station to Fishpond Downend Bromley Heath and yate bus and coach station. No evening service.
672 Bristol To Bedminster and the chew valley just 4 buses aday .Bristol to Nailsea and clevedon service reductions on Sunday s x 8 x9 .The government has reduced the covid 19 bus operators grant on 27 .3 Million is reduced by the government to 226 million pounds between October 2021 and Aprill 2022 when bus back better grant kick in .The new network with reductions from 30 th August 2021 The Department for transport staycation advertising for travel to tourist attraction in Bristol and go out for meal does not mean alot to residents and Tourists on West county tv if the Bus service are withdrawn. .on service 20 Weston super mare via Weston super mare hospital Brean and Berrow their no Sunday service.
126 wells Bus and coach station. Cheddar , Axbridge ,winscombe ,Banwell Weston super mare railway station.
Cllr Joanna Wright 