Withdrawal of 175 Bus Service, Orchard Way, Peasedown St John
Dear Editor,
Through your letters page I’d like to thank all the Peasedown residents who have been in touch with me over the last couple of days to raise their concerns about the withdrawal of the 175 bus service that was serving Orchard Way, Peasedown St John.
For years, we’ve campaigned for better bus transport for our community, and after securing this service for residents in September 2024, we’re disappointed to see it has now been withdrawn.
Orchard Way is one of our main thoroughfares through the village that provides vehicle access to over 1,000 households. We have bus stops and bus shelters in situ along this road, with many of them even having recently received upgrades!
The decision to cut the service has been taken by WECA, the West of England Combined Authority, who – for several years – have been the designated regional body for transport and public bus routes.
I’m currently working with Cllr Fiona Gourley, B&NES Council’s Cabinet Lead for Sustainable Rural Transport, and Sulis Hospital (many of their 500 staff rely on public transport to get to work on this route) to see what can be done to reintroduce a bus service here as soon as possible.
We’re lobbying WECA for them to recognise that the withdrawal of the 175 bus service was short sighted and ill judged.
I’ll be keeping residents updated on this campaign through my regular e-news updates. Anyone who’d like to subscribe can do so by emailing village_voice@outlook.com
Yours faithfully,
Karen
Cllr Karen Walker
Independent, Bath & North East Somerset Council
Personally I would like to see the 522 re instated through orchard way so the residents on the estate could not only get to Bath but the other way to Midsomer Norton. I think more people would use that as the 175 only does a round trip Bath to Peasedown and back.
First quote lack of usage for the reason why the service was withdrawn. Frankly, what does First expect when the 175 timetable is all over the place, plus it’s frequently running late or doesn’t turn up at all? I suspect this was their plan all along – to create a service which no-one can rely on, then cancel it because no-one is using it (which is unsurprising).
It is completely unacceptable of First to assume visitors, patients or staff using the Sulis have the capability to walk from the village.
Thank you to Karen Walker and others for doing their utmost to try and reinstate some kind of service. I agree that putting the 522 back through Orchard Way would be the best solution all round.