news story

11th June 2008

Partial Climbdown By First Bus Over LocaL Routes

Northavon MP Steve Webb welcomed the partial u-turn made this week by First Bus, which had intended to scrap a number of local bus routes in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.  However, he condemned the loss of services through Cranleigh Court Road in Yate.

Following public consultation, the bus company decided to replace the 328, X30 and X40 buses with the X27 and 327 hourly services from Yate bus station via north and south Yate, Winterbourne and Hambrook.  The X42 will not change from its hourly route through Coalpit Heath.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"We have won two out of three victories.

"The motorway services, which are vital, and buses serving Cotswold Road have been saved but we have lost all buses serving Cranleigh Court Road in Yate.

"It is a double blow for residents there who have just lost their Post Office, on Station Road and it will create a bus desert."

He added: "However, we are grateful to everyone who contacted First and I am very glad they listened at least in part to people's concerns."