New plans to develop sustainable bus network across North Somerset
The local authority have put forward proposals for ten government-funded 'Bus Service Improvement Plan' projects
Last updated 10th Oct 2023
The next ten Bus Service Improvement Plan projects have been announced by North Somerset Council.
It's part of the local authority's sustainable network initiative in a bid to reduce delays and increase reliability across the region.
The government-funded plan is aimed at helping to battle the climate emergency, and will impact key routes where buses are regularly delayed, according to the council.
These projects are targeted along the A38, A370, A369 and through Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon towns.
The areas are:
- A38 - Churchill Junction and Lime Kiln Roundabout
- A370 and Weston-super-Mare - Bakwell, A370/B3440 slip road, Bristol Road/Walford Avenue/Queensway Worle, Worle High Street
- A369 - Rownham Hill
- Clevedon - B3133 Southern Way/Central Way roundabout, Ettlingen Way roundabout, Tickenham Road/Northern Way roundabout
North Somerset Council say early engagement will now take place in a bid to create plans for the ten targeted areas for the bus improvement plans, which will focus on creating sustainable bus priority infrastructure schemes.
Each of these will help to make small time savings in each location that together add up to significant impacts resulting in creating self-sustaining bus services.
Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council said: “Through the Bus Service Improvement Plan schemes we want to make buses quicker, more reliable, and more frequent, which is what people tell us they need to make buses an attractive option. In turn, that means that in two years’ time, when the BSIP money for subsidising bus services temporarily has been spent, we don’t see bus operators cancel vital services that the community rely on.
“Minutes saves buses. If we’re able to save journey minutes from each individual scheme, the knock-on effect will be efficiencies that significantly reduce the long-term bus service operating costs along whole corridors. This means, more buses and fewer cancellations of routes or service frequencies in two years’ time.
“We will now start engaging with local councillors, residents and businesses to work together to create plans for the schemes that result in looking to create improved and sustainable services across North Somerset.”
Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “People up and down the country deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have provided North Somerset Council and West of England Combined Authority with over £105 million to boost their bus services.”
“Supporting the Council with introducing ten improvements to boost local bus services is fantastic for local residents, who will now be able to get to work, attend medical appointments and visit loved ones more easily.”
The Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) is the Council’s major investment programme in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, with the aim of improving the quality and provision of bus services.
More information on the Bus Improvement Service Plan and its schemes can be found here.