CAMPAIGNERS are planning to stage a protest walk in hopes of saving a bus route which has been described as a “lifeline”.

Passengers who use the 84/85 bus service between Wotton and Yate are aiming to walk around nine miles on Friday, July 19.

The protest will see commuters start at Wotton war memorial walk to Kingswood village, Wickwar and Chipping Sodbury before finishing at Yate Bus Station.

The bus service - which includes stops at Yate Shopping Centre, Katharine Lady Berkeley's, and Chipping Sodbury School - is due to end in September 2024. 

It is currently operated by bus company The Big Lemon.

It is understood for the service to be saved, officials from three different local authorities must agree on a funding solution. 

This includes the West of England Combined Authority, Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

Campaigners say if the bus route is axed, many residents will be left cut off and isolated.

Passengers previously took part in a similar protest held in Wotton in May last year before it was eventually saved.

Passengers previously took part in a similar protest held in Wotton in May last year (Image: Paul Groom Photography)

"We're not shooting for the moon" 

Gloucestershire County Councillor and Stroud District Councillor Linda Cohen is also planning to take part in the protest march. 

Cllr Cohen (Lib Dem, Wotton) said: "There's a lot of talk about equality and levelling up, economic growth and lifting people out of poverty.

"Clearly that doesn't apply when you live on the edge of a county.

"We know from all the research that a lack of public transport is the single biggest obstacle to young people and our most disadvantaged residents accessing work and education.

"This of course is before we consider access to heath services (remembering that those most likely to have a need for hospital appointments are also the group most likely not to have their own transport).

"So this Friday, like the Tolpuddle Martyrs we're coming together to walk from Wotton under Edge to Yate to protest about the injustice and obstacles being put in our way to be educated and go to work.

"We're not shooting for the moon, we've accepted a reduced service and worked around it - but the threat to the 84/85 service has already meant people having to move and others turning down jobs and college courses.

"A dial up service is a 'nice to have' for people at their leisure.

"To add to the frustration there has been no transparency - WECA have been cloak and dagger with Mayor  Dan Norris / now also MP proving harder to track down than the Scarlet Pimpernel. 

"While everyone has been distracted by elections, lives are being turned upside down. We need focus and resolution.

"This is a more tricky situation as it involves cross council discussion.

"I would ask all officers and councillors to be transparent, tell us where you really are in your negotiations and then we can look at what else is needed to save this service."

“The community needs to act now"

An organiser said: “A walk is planned from Wotton war memorial starting at 10am the route takes you through Kingswood and on to Wickwar. 

“A refreshment break is planned at Wickwar Town Hall. 

“The walk then goes on to Chipping Sodbury and ends at Yate Bus Station. Please help to show that this bus is important to the community. 

“People are invited to walk part or all of the route or to join along the way.

“Time is running out to save the bus route. 

“The community needs to act now.”

For more information about the protest see Facebook group - Save the W-U-E to Yate bus service - here -  tinyurl.com/4vzsfsdr