COMMUTERS across South Gloucestershire are set to benefit from an improved bus network when changes to services are introduced next week.

The changes, which start on Sunday, are the result of a review undertaken last year and will include extra journeys being added to routes from Chipping Sodbury, Yate, Pucklechurch and Wick.

Improvements will also be made to daytime services between Yate and Bristol and a new Saturday service will be introduced from Yate and Winterbourne to Bristol Parkway.

Cllr Pat Hockey, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: "The council has often been told that people don't use the bus services because they go to the wrong places at the wrong times.

"For over a year discussions and consultations have been carried out to review whether improvements could be made. This has resulted in the changes published in the new timetables.

"If more people leave their cars at home and travel by bus, there will be less of the traffic jams which we all hate."

But Yate town councillors have spoken out against the changes, arguing they will not benefit the people of the town.

Cllr Margaret Bracey said: "One bus service has already been taken away that runs between Yate and Bristol in the evenings, and a new service being introduced will not do evenings.

"That is going to affect people."

Town and South Gloucestershire councillor Ian Blair said: "I don't think these changes will be an improvement."

For further information on alterations and a timetable information contact Traveline on 0870 6082608 (open 7am-10pm daily) or www.traveline.org.uk.

Information is also available on the council's website at www.southglos.gov.uk