Bus service improvement plan

Public transport is set to be transformed over the next three years in our area. The Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) outlines a major investment programme by North Somerset Council in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority. The ambition is to improve the quality and provision of bus services to a level that creates an attractive alternative to the use of private vehicles. It will also accelerate the decarbonisation of transport which is a key priority for the council as part of its commitment to tackle the climate emergency.

To achieve this ambitious programme, we have identified a significant number of opportunities to introduce bus priority measures on key areas. We are redesigning over 18 junctions and routes which are known to cause delays to services. We will be engaging with key stakeholders over the course of the programme, sharing designs and seeking views.

The first package of schemes are set for construction beginning in 2023. There are seven currently planned:

• A38 at Barrow Gurney
• A370 Long Ashton bypass
• A370 at Brockley Combe
• A370 at Wood Hill
• A370 at Congresbury Smallway junction
• A369 at Beggar Bush Lane
• A369 Martcombe Road

You will be aware that recently there have unfortunately been some bus service losses in North Somerset. This makes the investment in bus infrastructure and our work within the Bus Service Improvement Plan more important than ever to secure the sustainability of existing services that use these routes, and to aid the return of more services in future. Efficiency and sustainability of bus routes is paramount in an environment where costs are rising and bus resources are restricted.

Engagement report

Stakeholders were contacted asking for their views on the first package of schemes in September. Thank you to all those who responded. Comments received have been reviewed and considered. A summary of those comments and our responses is now available. 

If you wish to contact the BSIP team, please email bsip.engagement@n-somerset.gov.uk.

The first stage of consultation, the statutory operator objections period, on the Enhanced Partnership plan (EP) and Scheme 1 (EPS1) was concluded on 21 January 2022. One formal objection was received and has been published below in line with Enhanced Partnership Guidance.