More than 2,000 residents in Peasedown St John have been affected by the withdrawal of the First Bus-operated 175 service, which previously ran through Orchard Way. Campaigners say the route also provided the only public transport connection between Bath and Bath Business Park, home to Sulis Hospital.
Independent Councillor Karen Walker has launched a campaign calling for the service to be reinstated. She said the loss of the route would affect residents travelling to work, school and essential services, as well as patients and staff accessing Sulis Hospital.
Cllr Walker said: “Orchard Way is one of the main thoroughfares through Peasedown St John and even has designated bus stops, shelters, seats and recently refurbished places for bus users to stand – so to cancel this area’s only bus service after all this investment is an incredibly ill thought-out decision.”
Sulis Hospital director Simon Milner said a regular and reliable bus service was vital, adding: “Without a regular and reliable bus service to the hospital, people’s access to treatment becomes a lot more difficult.”
Cllr Fiona Gourley, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Project Lead for Sustainable Transport Rural, has written to the West of England Combined Authority highlighting the importance of maintaining transport links to Sulis Hospital and Bath Business Park.
Campaigners say they will continue pressing for a replacement service and are urging transport authorities and bus operators to restore the route through Orchard Way.