The former Bristol 18 bus connected Emerson’s Green with Southmead Hospital, while also serving the Filton area
By Lucy Frost
Filton residents say they have been “forgotten” as a petition has been launched calling for a long-lost route to be reinstated.
Changes to bus services have sparked a new petition to reinstate the Bristol 18 bus, which was pulled in 2018 and connected Emerson’s Green with Southmead Hospital.
The petition, which has 159 signatures, stated: “Reinstating the 18 is not only vital for direct hospital links, but for commuting to colleges, workplaces, and shopping.
“There have been many changes to bus services throughout the years. The loss of the 18 bus has hit the hardest.
“With the 10/11 (18 replacement) no longer serving core destinations from the old 18 in west Bristol, and Emerson’s, Mangotsfield and Bromley Heath having little to no links to west Bristol, the 18 now is more vital than it has ever been before.”
The petition has prompted discussion among residents online, some stating that the changes affect their children’s journeys to school.
One resident wrote: “Filton is forgotten… no wonder people use cars.”
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) announced numerous changes to routes operating within the West Country from August 30.
In the announcement they state that the changes to the number 10 bus were “to improve punctuality and reliability”.
WECA was approached for comment but did not respond before the date of publication.
Claire Hazelgrove, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, held a ‘Coffee with Claire’ event to discuss improving local bus services. She said: “I want to hear about your experiences and priorities so — together — we can make the strongest possible case for better buses.
“I’ll share your feedback directly with First Bus and the West of England Combined Authority, who are responsible for our buses.
“It will also inform my work pressing for any changes needed nationally.”
While her survey closed on September 19, residents can continue to contact Ms Hazelgrove via her email address at claire.hazelgrove.mp@parliament.uk