Southmead Hospital - a bus ride in the right direction?

First Bus have announced proposals for a direct bus service from Yate to Southmead Hospital from 13 April, together with changes to other services. While the direct link will very welcome, it falls short of the desire for a service from Chipping Sodbury as well.

Other consequences appear to be that certain services will be lost from parts of North Yate, and Chipping Sodbury and South Yate look likely to lose their existing direct service to Cribbs Causeway.

So all in all, a mixed bag. One upside is that most of these services will be run on a commercial basis, rather than being council-subsidised, so they should be less vulnerable to council cutbacks.

We'll only really know the detailed impact when timetables are published online in mid March. Meanwhile you can read more on the First Bus website.

Temporary footbridge for Wapley Bushes

It looks like Network Rail have listened to councillors and users of the path over the footbridge to Wapley Bushes. They have put in an application to divert the path via a temporary footbridge while they raise the bridge to get clearance for the overhead cables for electrifying the line.

Clearance work has recently started on site and we are now waiting for Network Rail to sort out the details of the paths to make sure that the slope isn’t too steep.

Bus fare consultation roadshow to be held in Yate

The promised roadshow by First to consult passengers on bus fares will be held in Yate Shopping Centre on Monday, February 17 from 9 am to 12.30pm.

First are also running an online survey on fares, with a  chance to win an iPad.

The consultation closes on March 16th.

Waiting restriction review

South Glos Council is planning to change the waiting restrictions on the roads on and around the trading estates on the edge of Yate. This includes a residents parking permit scheme outside the rank of cottages on North Road. You can find out more and comment on the South Glos website - the deadline for comments is 20th February.

Your views on anti-social behaviour

Avon and Somerset Police are running an online survey about anti-social behaviour. If you're using a desktop or laptop you can fill it in here and there is also a mobile and tablet version. The survey closes on Sunday 9th February, 2014.

Bus fare consultation

First Bus have started a consultation on fares, which runs until 16th March. More information about the consultation can be found at www.fairerfaresforall.co.uk and hard copy questionnaires will be available on buses, in libraries, in council one-stop-shops and in First’s own travel shops. There will also be a series of roadshows.

Bus timetable changes

From this week, First is changing the timetable of some early morning and early evening 342/X42 journeys.

The following Monday to Friday early morning departures from Chipping Sodbury via Yate to Bristol Bus Station have been brought forward by either five or ten minutes: 0540 hours, 0635 hours, 0655 hours, 0710 hours.

Passengers have suggested that later morning rush-hour departures, which are currently heavily delayed in traffic, should also have been moved forward. What do you think? Please leave your comments below, including the service and time you are talking about.

In addition, the following Monday to Friday departures from Bristol Bus Station will also change: 0645 hours departure brought forward by five minutes, 1725 hours and 1755 hours departures pushed back by five minutes.

Full details of all the changes First are making are available on their website.