Bristol, Bath and the West

Consultation results for services 8/9 & 24/25

Bus changes registered following consultation with Bristol residents

Having received feedback from more than 200 people in Bristol regarding proposed changes to bus services 8, 9, 24 and 25 in the city, First has now finalised its plans and re-registered the affected routes. In doing so it took on board a number of the comments made, specifically making further improvements to the frequency of buses on Services 8 and 9, and extending the route of the last evening journey from Temple Meads (on Service 8) to make life easier for bus users living close to Whiteladies Road.

The company had consulted with Bristol residents in June on proposed changes to the route and frequency of buses in Redland, Clifton, Lockleaze and Southville, placing leaflets encouraging people to share their views in libraries, pharmacies, shops and cafes along the bus routes " as well as on the buses themselves - and directly contacting more than 5,000 of its customers via its own database. In total more than 200 people responded either online or by post.

Service 8 and 9 (serving Temple Meads, Clifton and Redland).
First had proposed to change the overall timetable to improve reliability (ensuring equally spaced departures from Temple Meads Station), and to replace the confusing 8A and 9A services (which only cover half the routes) with alternate Service 8s and 9s. It also proposed changing the route slightly in Redland to run along Redland Road, Redland Hill and Whiteladies Road rather than Clyde Road and Redland Park.

As a result of the consultation, First has decided to:
· Change the timetable to improve the overall reliability of the services. Alternate Service 8s and 9s will now leave Temple Meads every five minutes (a significant improvement) with changes to timetable making the service even more reliable along the rest of route.
· Further improve the frequency of buses over and above what it had originally proposed. As well as running buses every five minutes between Temple Meads and the Triangle, it will provide a 10 minute frequency (Mon-Sat) between both Temple Meads and Redland, and Temple Meads and Clifton (a significant improvement on the current 20 and 10 minutes Mon - Sat frequencies). This is in direct response to calls from local residents.
· Change the route to run along Redland Road, Redland Hill and Whiteladies Road (as originally proposed), with more time allowed to deal with any congestion along Redland Hill. A significant number of people (63% of those who commented on route changes) agreed with these proposals, recognising the problem that the narrow roads in the area can cause for larger vehicles.
· Extend the route of the last bus from Temple Meads (2330 hrs Mon - Sat), making Blackboy Hill the terminus point rather than Clifton Down. This means customers living towards the top of Whiteladies Road will no longer have to walk as far late at night. This change was brought about as a direct result of the feedback from customers during the consultation period.

Services 24 and 25 in Southville
First proposed to simplify Services 24 and 25, ensuring that all buses followed the same route between the centre and Ashton Vale, providing a 10 minute frequency Mon " Sat daytime. It also proposed changing the route to run all buses along Luckwell Road, Duckmoor Road, Ashton Road, North Street and Dean Lane, rather than calling on Luckwell Road, Raleigh Road, Beauley Road and Greville Street. This change was due to the difficulties the company faces operating buses along the narrow streets in the area.

First received a number of comments in relation to the proposed change to the route, 31% in favour, 69% against. As a result of the feedback, First looked again at the proposals, considering all of the alternatives suggested by customers, for instance the possibility of running services along Coronation Road. But closer inspection revealed that the original proposals offered the best solution; improving transit time for all customers along the route, avoiding narrow roads " which can cause problems for buses - and offering a greater frequency of service along North Street, so they were upheld.

Commercial Director, Simon Cursio, explains why the decision was made: "Changing the route of buses is always an emotive issue and weve tried our best to keep as many people happy as possible. We explored a number of different options, looking at the possibility of running services along Coronation Road but found that if we were to do this it would create problems elsewhere on the route, for this reason we have upheld the original proposals. We understand that some customers will be disappointed with this outcome and where possible will be writing to those people who contacted us to explain the reasoning behind the decision, also outlining our belief that the new route " providing an improved frequency along North Street and Duckmoor Road " will benefit the greatest number of people in the long term.'

Services 24 and 25 in Lockleaze
First proposed simplifying the route so that all buses travelling to Lockleaze from the centre followed the same route (along Muller Road, Shaldon Road, Romney Avenue, Gainsborough Square, Bonnington Walk, Wordsworth Road, Lockleaze Road, Filton Avenue and Muller Road, before terminating at the Muller Road Bus Depot) thus removing any confusion for passengers as to the final destination of the bus . This change would provide much needed links to the Horfield Health Centre, Filton Avenue Infant and Junior Schools, direct connections between Filton Avenue, Lockleaze and the Eastgate Centre, and improved connections with Service 73 (for Cribbs Causeway and Parkway Railway Station).

As a result of the consultation, First has decided to uphold the original proposals. In total the company received a number of comments regarding the re-routing of the service in Lockleaze, of which 59% were in favour of the changes. While a small number of people were disappointed to find that services would no longer run along Dovercourt Road, Downend Road and parts of Muller Road, First believes that in general the changes will benefit more people than will be otherwise affected. Notably the company received a few comments from local people pleased that they would now be able to use local bus services to get to and from Filton Avenue.

Talking about the consultation exercise and the outcomes, Simon Cursio, Commercial Director, First Bristol, Somerset & Avon, says: "We take the views of our customers seriously and really value what they have to say, as this helps us identify the issues that really matter to people. The extension of the route of the last bus from Temple Meads, from Clifton Down to Blackboy Hill, is a case in point; as a direct result of feedback received, we have been able to make a relatively small change to this service, which will have a positive impact on people living in the area.'

All the changes to Services 8, 9, 24 and 25 will be effective from Sunday 27 September. Timetables for revised services will be available approximately two weeks before this time. For more information, or to view timetables when they are published, log onto: www.firstgroup.com/ukbus.