CAMPAIGNERS are cheering as the wheels are in motion to both restore a previously axed bus route while also improving the 'punctuality and reliability' of an existing one. 

Changes are set to be made in April to the Y6 service, which goes from Yate and Chipping Sodbury to Bristol via Cribbs Causeway and Southmead Hospital. 

As well as aiming to improve the 'punctuality and reliability' of the service, the amended timetable will also serve a new route, going through the St Saviour's church area of Coalpit Heath on every journey. 

This has been welcomed by both MP Luke Hall and the leader of South Gloucestershire Council Claire Young, who both say they have been pushing First Bus for a service along this route since the axing of the Y4 bus in October 2022. 

Campaigners also say that the impact of the Y4 axing has been greater since the closure of the A432 M4 overbridge last summer, as the Y1 and Y2 have also been routed along Church Road, leaving hundreds of people in Coalpit Heath with a long walk to the bus.

Claire Young, who is also a Frampton Cotterell Ward councillor, said: “On behalf of local people, we have been pushing First Bus for a service along this route ever since the Y4 was axed – and we stepped up that pressure when they diverted services along Church Road when National Highways closed the A432 M4 overbridge last summer.

“We are delighted they have listened to local people’s concerns and made this change.

 “Following that initial decision we successfully persuaded National Highways to provide a free shuttle bus along Badminton Road.

“This new decision represents a further step towards our goal of restoring frequent, reliable bus services to our area.

 “National Highways have agreed to extend the shuttle bus service until April, when the revised Y6 service will start.”

Luke Hall MP had formally written to First Bus asking for local services to be fully redirected, following a partially re-routed Y6 service earlier this year.

Mr Hall said: “Frampton residents had been very clear that the bus services operating in the village were a very “one-sided arrangement” so I am grateful to First Bus to listening to the community’s feedback and restoring service back along Beesmoor Road, Heather Avenue, and the surrounding neighbourhoods”.

Mr Holloway, a local Frampton Cotterell resident who has been calling for an amended route, said, “Credit to Luke Hall who along with me and other residents have repeatedly called for this change.

"These changes are long overdue, but I am very pleased that these neighbourhoods will be having quicker and more direct access to these bus services.”

The planned changes are expected to come into effect from Sunday, April 7.  

A timetable and route map will be published soon.

A First spokesperson said: “There are significant timetable changes on all days of operation to improve punctuality and reliability.

“In response to feedback and consultation with South Gloucestershire Council, the Y6 will now serve the St Saviour’s Church area of Coalpit Heath on every journey, diverting from its current route via Beesmoor Road, Heather Avenue, Park Lane and Bridge Way.

“This will provide a regular service to this area while the A432/M4 overbridge remains closed into 2025.”