Our four local councils - Bristol, South Gloucs, North Somerset and Bath/NE Soms - have won �42million of funding to create a new network of Showcase bus routes.

The good news for Bradley Stoke is we are included on two of the routes.

The �42million is to be supplemented by �20million further investment from First which will buy new buses to operate on the network.

A statement from the council quartet said: “We have the green light now to press ahead in developing a trailblazing bus network over the next four years - which will transform our transport choices and make a real difference to everyone who needs to travel around the area, as well as going a long way to tackling congestion and improving air quality.�

Tony Anthistle, MD for First Bus operations in Bristol, Somerset and Avon said of the news: �This is excellent news for everyone involved, especially the residents of the areas, who will benefit hugely from the Showcase schemes and from the Joint Local Transport Plan as a whole.”

Bus corridors

The cash has come from government agency the Department of Transport.

Bradley Stoke would be included in corridor 3 of the network - linking the city centre via the southern end of the A38, and links us at the other end with Cribbs Causeway.

The town also features in corridor 7 which runs along the Avon Ring Road via the M32 and onwards to the city centre.

On Thursday, one poster to this website said: “Bristol needs more buses like it needs a hole in the head.” - we would be interested in hearing your views. Would you use a new Showcase bus route, or would nothing tempt you out of your car?

Work on the new routes should begin in summer 2007.

Article main image from Wikipedia.

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BBC News report