A NEW bus service has been launched to link Thornbury and villages along the A38 to Southmead Hospital and Bristol Parkway Station.
The 535 runs four times per day in each direction, leaving Rock Street at 7.30am, 10.30am, 2.30pm and 6pm, and returning from Southmead at 9.15am, 12.15pm. 4.15pm (except Wednesdays, when it will run at 4.45pm) and 7.15pm, taking around an hour and 20 minutes in each direction.
On the way it will stop at Alveston, Old Down, Olveston, Tockington, Almondsbury and then Filton College before calling at the station and hospital.
The route is being supported by the West of England Combined Authority and South Gloucestershire Council, as part of a drive to improve local bus services and connectivity.
The timetable and route has now been added to the Travelwest website.
Petition
The stops called at by the service were called for by more than 1,300 Thornbury residents who signed a petition set up earlier this year.
The petition was set up by residents Rita Allman, Marilyn Banks, Jackie Cadwgan and Jan Stone, who lobbied Metro Mayor Helen Godwin and the town’s MP Claire Young to support their cause.
Ms Godwin held a consultation on a new Bus Plan in April and May, asking residents which new routes they would like to see.
She said: “I know a service between Thornbury and Southmead Hospital is something people have long campaigned for, and I am thrilled we are able to deliver it.
“Providing a public transport connection to SGS College is also incredibly important, helping more young people get to education or training opportunities.
“Buses really are a lifeline for so many, and together we’re starting to build the kind of bus network that the West of England deserves.”
WECA says the route (below) is the first to directly link Thornbury to both Southmead Hospital and Bristol Parkway Station.
The route was backed by local councillors representing wards along the route.
Severn Vale ward councillor Tony Williams said: “We’ve been working with WECA and the bus companies to get public transport back for people to use for work, education healthcare and leisure and we are delighted that we’ve managed to persuade them that this bus route – through the villages – is badly needed.
“Please, everyone, use the bus now we’ve finally got it.”
Council cabinet member Chris Willmore said: “This excellent news follows years of working with WECA, the bus companies and campaigning to reinstate a direct bus route between Thornbury and Southmead.
“People in the area have long wanted a connection that travels from Thornbury, through many of South Gloucestershire’s villages, on to SGS Filton College, Parkway and Southmead, to access employment, education, health and leisure facilities.”
Picture: Jan Stone, Rita Allman and Jackie Cadwgan with the petition calling for a new bus service to Southmead Hospital earlier this year.