WESTlocal

Local people know their communities best – so who better to make sure bus services truly meet local needs.

What is WESTlocal?

WESTlocal allows communities to access cash to design and run their very own, brand new, not for profit bus services. 

From connecting schools and colleges, getting people to work and providing much needed links to shops, WESTlocal buses are already helping residents get around.

The first successful bidders in Chew Valley and Paulton launched in April 2024 and will be joined by a further eight services from 2 September with two in North Somerset due to start later in the month. One of the original services will also be extended.

WESTlocal was set up by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, in partnership with North Somerset Council and funded from the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.

WESTlocal bus services (from 2 September)

  • New early morning and late evening service between Yate and Keynsham and midday and afternoon return journeys from Emersons Green to Keynsham (Mon-Fri)

    Community lead – Oldland Parish Council (also involvement Siston Parish Council, Bitton Parish Council & Pucklechurch Parish Council).

    Bus operator – Eurocoaches.

  • Hourly community bus service between south Keynsham & Somerdale also serving Wellsway & Chandag schools.

    Community lead – Keynsham Town Council.

    Bus operator – The Big Lemon.

  • A flexible (two-hourly) bus service between Hawkesbury Upton and Charfield via Yate and Chipping Sodbury (Mon- Sat).

    Community lead – West of England Rural Network (WERN).

    Bus operator – The Big Lemon.

  • Nicknamed the “Yellow LAB” reflecting the letters of some of the areas (Lawrence Weston, Avonmouth and Brentry) that it will connect from September, this will be a new hourly service between Avonmouth village, Avonmouth industrial area, Lawrence Weston, Brentry, Henbury (Mon – Fri)

    Community lead – SevernNet.

    Bus operator – The Big Lemon.

  • Daily shuttle service (including Friday and Saturday evenings) to link villages within the Chew Valley and to connecting services on the A37. Nicknamed the “Chew Valley Cat”.

    Community lead – West of England Rural Network (WERN) with Chew Valley Community Interest Company.

    Bus operator – The Big Lemon

  • Service linking Kingswood, Warmley and Bromley Heath with north Bristol and SGC campuses – (three return trips Mon-Fri).

    Community lead – SGS College.

    Bus operator – Eurocoaches.

  • Daily hourly service running from Avonmeads to Gas Ferry Road via The Dings and central Bristol.

    Community lead – Dings Community Association.

    Bus operator – The Big Lemon.

  • Service connecting the villages of Felton, Winford and Dundry to a range of stops in Bristol, including Imperial Park, Bedminster, Temple Meads, Broadmead and the city centre – (Three return journeys Mon-Fri).

    Community lead – West of England Rural Network (WERN).

    Bus operator – The Big Lemon.

  • The locally named “Chew Valley Sprint” started in April 2024 provides a service between Bishop Sutton, Chew Stoke, Chew Magna, Hengrove Park, Bristol Temple Meads, near Bristol Bus Station and the Centre. This service will be extended from 2 September to serve the villages of Compton Martin, East Harptree and West Harptree and will also have its frequency increased.

    See the X91 timetable online.

    Community lead – West of England Rural Network (WERN) with Chew Valley Community Interest Company.

  • The 2V “Two Valley Sprint” links communities across the Somer Valley and Cam Valley running 5 times a day from Radstock to Odd Down Park and Ride via Westfield, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Radford, Timsbury, Camerton and Tunley.

    See the 2V timetable online.

    Community lead – Paulton Parish Council.

    Bus Operator – The Big Lemon.

North Somerset services (more information to come)

  • Providing a weekday commuter link from Wrington to key transport interchanges. Morning trip from Wrington to Congresbury (offering connection for X1 bus), Yatton Rail Station and Bristol Airport, with evening return journey.

  • Operating between 09:30 and 14:30 each weekday, an accessible minibus will serve a number of highly-targeted areas, each with one or two return trips a week. These will be focused on underserved places in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area. The exact routes and timings are to be confirmed.