WESTlocal allows communities to access cash to design and run their very own, brand new, not for profit bus services. The first successful bidders in Chew Valley and Paulton launched in April and since then, hundreds of people have used the bus services.
I am delighted that so many local communities and organisations have taken up my challenge and put together winning bids. From connecting schools and colleges, getting people to work and providing much needed links to shops, these new WESTlocal’s are imaginative and designed with local people in mind.
Mayor Dan Norris
People who already use the existing WESTlocals have told me they really value the services, especially the “great community spirit onboard” and are asking for more – so I am particularly pleased that we’ve also been able to extend the WESTlocal service in Chew Valley to serve the villages of Compton Martin, East Harptree & West Harptree.
The new WESTlocal schemes, which are expected to start on 1 September include buses serving Keynsham, Yate, Charfield, Chew Valley, Winford, Avonmouth and SGS college among other areas.
WESTlocal is a fund from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, in partnership with North Somerset Council. Funding for the scheme comes from the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority secured the second highest settlement per head nationwide from government of this fund.
There are three other WESTlocal bus services planned to start in September operating in North Somerset.
Original press release by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Local residents across the region will be able to travel for free as new community-designed WESTlocal bus services hit the roads from Sunday 1 and Monday 2 September onwards. The launch is being marked with two week’s free travel on the eight new bus routes.
Works to install a new raised zebra crossing, widen footways and resurface the highway in Lansdown Road, Bath have been completed.
Plans to deliver changes to the Centre Promenade area of the City Centre have been unveiled as part of a project aimed at creating more space for pedestrians, markets and events.
Service 84/85 will no longer operate from 1 September. Alternative travel options are listed wthin this post.
Some bus timetables are being updated from 1 September and passengers are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the revised schedule so they can continue to enjoy cheap or free bus travel from next month.
