Call to restore Keynsham-Stockwood bus link

A GROUP of councillors are calling on Metro Mayor Dan Norris to help restore a bus link between Keynsham and Stockwood.

They say it “makes no sense” that two communities so close together are not connected by public transport.

The group behind the call are Alex Beaumont and George Leach (Keynsham North Ward councillors for Bath & North East Somerset Council) and Graham Morris and Jonathan Hucker (Stockwood Ward for Bristol City Council).

In an open letter to Mr Norris, they said: “We represent neighbouring communities and endeavour to work together cross-party on issues of common interest to benefit the residents of our respective communities.

“In our opinion, and in the opinion of our residents, there is an obvious and pressing need for a bus service to connect the two areas. This is especially so as the WestLink Demand Responsive Transport Service does not operate at all in Stockwood Ward.

“Such a bus service would provide access to the range of retail, leisure and hospitality facilities available in Keynsham.

“These facilities are effectively denied to residents of Stockwood who do not possess a motor vehicle. This is not good for the economy in Keynsham or the quality of life for people in Stockwood.

“It is pertinent that 16% of people who live in Stockwood Ward are aged 70 or over and we feel that these people would greatly benefit from a bus service. This is especially the case as there are no banking or post office services available in Stockwood.

“However, we also believe that a bus service would be well utilised across all demographic groups. For example, children from Stockwood attend Broadlands Academy in Keynsham.

“The fact that there is no public transport link between two communities that are in such close proximity makes no sense at all.

“Efforts to create a better bus service is something we have been working on for a long time. In 2022 WECA Transport Officers designed route 520 to operate from Imperial Park to Keynsham (via Stockwood) with a subsidised service. When subsidised services were cut, this route fell without even being trialled.

“Service 515 currently operates between Imperial Park and the Coots. Perhaps it would be worth considering whether this service could be extended to Keynsham High Street.

“We appreciate that resources are finite. However, we strongly believe it is imperative that our two communities are connected by a public transport link.

“We request you give this your serious consideration.”

In addition to the letter, Councillor Leach said: “I believe that bus services provide a vital link between communities and the reckless cuts enacted last year by WECA in exchange for the failed WestLink project have caused unnecessary damage that Mayor Norris has an obligation to reverse.”

The councillors were still awaiting a response from Mr Norris as this article was posted.