Claire Young MP calls for urgent rethink on buses

The MP for Thornbury & Yate, Claire Young, has taken up residents’ deep concerns about changes to local bus services in a meeting with the Managing Director of First Bus West of England.

Changes to the Y1/Y2 and Y6 services have caused an outcry in Yate and Chipping Sodbury. Claire and Yate North Councillor Chris Willmore met Doug Claringbold on Friday to put the case for keeping the current Y1 and Y2 routes and the early Y6 service.

Claire Young MP said:

"If these changes go ahead, it will have a massive impact on bus users in Chipping Sodbury and parts of Yate.

"Chipping Sodbury will have just one bus every 90 minutes, the Y6, and the occasional 620 to Bath, but no direct services to Bristol. Those on the Birds estate and in parts of North Yate face losing the Y1 and Y2 they rely on.

"It will be a blow to businesses in Chipping Sodbury and bus users will be cut off from the shops and services in the centre of Yate. It will be harder for commuters to get to work and children to get to school. These services aren’t just about getting people to and from Bristol, they help people get about our towns. Elderly residents can’t be expected to get up the hill from Yate without a bus. 

"People who work at Southmead rely on the early Y6 bus service to get them there for the start of their shift. That will no longer be possible.

"The Managing Director listened and promised to go away and think about what can be done. I hope there can be an urgent rethink on these damaging changes."