Backing for Y8 bus extension plans
New proposals to extend the Y8 bus to connect local residents to more places and services in the wider region, have been backed by the new Mayor of the West of England, South Gloucestershire Council, and local campaigners.
The WESTlocal route Y8, operated by the Big Lemon, serves Charfield, Cromhall, Wickwar, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Horton, and Hawkesbury Upton in South Gloucestershire.
New plans would see the existing route, known as the Yate Link, extended to Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, after almost a year of waiting, for the remainder of the current 18 month trial funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, until 31 March 2026. The extended service would also serve another bus stop in Charfield (Railway Tavern) as well as reconnecting communities in Alderley, Hillesley, and Kingswood.
The Y8 currently starts/ends in Charfield, just three miles (an eight-minute drive) from Wotton-under-Edge, which was among the places previously served by the former 84/85 bus.
People’s lives don’t stop at council borders, so neither should their buses. Reconnecting communities in South Gloucestershire to Wotton-under-Edge and other villages is long overdue. It’s time for some common sense, as we work together to deliver the better buses that people across the West of England deserve.
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England
I know how important bus services are for local people, particularly in more rural areas of our region. This route forward is thanks to the longstanding efforts of campaigners. It’s also only possible with the constructive working relationships that we’ve built from day one with council leaders and partners in this new chapter for the West of England.
We are delighted the Y8 service is to be extended and will re-connect our rural communities in the north of South Gloucestershire with family and friends, work, education and healthcare in Wotton-under-Edge.
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council
Rural bus routes are a lifeline for the communities they serve, and we remain committed to working collaboratively with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Gloucestershire County Council and bus operators, to continue to develop a bus network that is reliable, affordable, and meets the needs of our residents.
Axing this vital bus route 10 months ago has caused considerable damage to employment opportunities, educational choice and other longstanding shared services and amenities that we once benefitted communities in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.
Barbara Lawrence, a member of the campaign group in Wotton-under-Edge, in a recent letter to the Gazette Series
This route served 11 communities on the 32 mile orbital route and its restoration is crucial to interconnectivity at every level. Visitors used the route to visit the Cotswold Way and to browse our vibrant market towns and villages. Businesses and hospitality venues have suffered due to reduced footfall and what was mutually beneficial to everyone including making the bus service more sustainable and realising bus travel drives growth.
Thank you to Mayor Helen Godwin, West of England Combined Authority for her commitment to work across councils and to work with others in finding a solution to jointly fund a timetabled bus service Wotton under Edge to Yate.
Today’s announcement is subject to the completion of the final approvals process as agreed and delegated by committee in January 2025. Like plans for children and young people aged under 16 to travel for free on buses this summer, the proposed package is set to be funded using some of the £13.5 million of Bus Grant funding secured from the Department for Transport by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Under the plans, a revised Y8 route would start from 31 August, with timetables for the Monday to Saturday daytime service to be confirmed closer to the time.
Press release by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
