Temporary solution found for axed Weston bus route
PUBLISHED: 12:00 21 March 2018
Crosville will pull its Weston services on April 21.
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A replacement bus service has been found for an area of Weston where fears were raised people would be left isolated without access to public transport.
Crosville and First Bus vehicles in the town centre.The Mercury reported at the beginning of March how Crosville Motor Service would be scrapping its routes across Weston, including the 106 service, which visits the Shrubbery.
Concerns were raised by hillside councillors and the Shrubbery Neighbourhood Group that losing the service would make it harder for elderly and disabled people to get into town as they would have to negotiate steep steps or hills, or pay for taxis.
However, a short-term solution has been found by North Somerset Council, as Carmel Bristol will run a service starting on April 23, two days after Crosville’s service ends.
MORE: Losing Crosville bus service ‘lifeline’ to town centre will ‘harm people’s health’.
South Road bus stop. Picture: GoogleNorth Somerset councillor John Crockford-Hawley said: “I’ve been particularly concerned many elderly people and car-less residents who live on the hillside would be left stranded if the 106 route is abandoned.
“[Cllr] Mark Canniford and I attend all meetings of the Shrubbery Neighbourhood Group and the bus service has been a constant thorn in the flesh.
“Members recently carried out a survey of the route through the Shrubbery which I took to the council.
“They recognise the difficulty buses have with narrow roads often blocked by inconsiderate parking and I’m pleased to say a compromise has now been reached.”
Carmel Bristol will operate the same timetable as Crosville, running along South Road into Trinity Place, and along Atlantic Road to Highbury Road.
Although it will no longer pass through the Shrubbery, it will be able to pick passengers up along Atlantic Road and there will be a stop in Shrubbery Avenue.
Bridie Collier ,from the neighbourhood group, said even though the service would not take the same route as the 106, it would mean everyone in the Shrubbery could reach a bus stop without needing to walk up and down hills.
Cllr Crockford-Hawley added: “This will enable all Shrubbery residents to walk a reasonably short and importantly level journey to access the bus.
“I should emphasise this is something of a short-term solution.
“Both Cllr Canniford and I are now in the process of discussing a longer-term operation with transport officers.”
