THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
5th October 2022
Issue 750
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178 bus route is saved A replacement has been found for the 178 bus service which
service - the 379 (Bristol-Radstock-
is due to be axed by First at the weekend.
Bath) - to replace much of the old 178
Agreement has been reached between the West of England
route, the local authority cannot
Combined Authority and local bus companies Citistar and
supply a competing service. The new
Abus to operate a service between Paulton and Brislington Park
Abus and Citistar service mainly
and Ride, starting on Monday 10th October.
covers the villages which are not
This means that villages south of Keynsham, such as High
included on First’s alternative 379
Littleton, Farmborough and Marksbury, will have up to six
route.
buses a day to Keynsham (for rail connections) and to the
The consequences of losing the 178
A4/Park and Ride for onward travel to Bristol. The new service
were highlighted at the recent meeting
also provides a better service for people living on the east side
of the West of England Combined
of Keynsham, as well as a link for students attending St
Authority committee meeting in
Brendan’s Sixth Form College.
Bristol. Members of the public who
Dan Norris
Financing of the route has
made
come largely from the
committee spoke of the hardships
West
England
caused by First’s decision to withdraw the service. One
Norton and other areas.
of
representations
to
the
Authority,
mentioned a local resident who will no longer be able to visit
“Now I’d ask passengers to use this service taking advantage
contributing
her terminally ill husband in his care home in the next village
of our new, cheaper fares. That’s vital for its future viability.
£22,000 a month. It also
because she does not drive. One person with special needs had
Buses matter. They allow local communities to thrive and are
means
Combined which
is
Regional
been asked by her employer to hand in her notice as she will
so, so vital if we’re going to meet our ambitious net-zero
Mayor Dan Norris has
have no other means of travelling to work. Another member of
targets.”
now provided replacement
the public said the 178 may not be the most profitable route
The new timetable which has been drawn up links in with other
or alternative services for
but it certainly is one of the most socially necessary. A petition
bus services such as the 179 and 379 to provide onward travel
more than half of the 27
to save the 178 had at that stage received over 1,000 signatures.
between Paulton and Midsomer Norton. The 178 will operate
routes being cut by First
Mayor Dan Norris said: “I promised we’d throw the kitchen
using buses from Citistar and Abus. As with the 96 service
this week.
that
sink at this, and we have.
from Brislington to Hengrove, which the two companies have
Replacing the 178 proved more of a challenge because it was
“Thank you to Citistar and Abus for taking on this service that’s
also stepped in the replace, financial support from the West of
not a local transport authority-supported bus service but run
really important for local people and students in Keynsham,
England Combined Authority guarantees the service through
commercially by First. Because First is also introducing a new
Marksbury, Farmborough, High Littleton, Paulton, Midsomer
to next April when a more comprehensive round of bus service tendering will take place.
Also in this week’s issue
High Street fall victims encouraged to take legal action . . . page 3
‘No lessons learned over Keynsham house building’ . . . pages 4 & 5
The Week In celebrates 750th edition . . . page 7
More reaction to MP’s fracking announcement . . . page 10