Liberal Democrats on South Gloucestershire Council have continued pushing for a decent bus service to the new Southmead hospital due to open in April 2014.

The council’s Planning, Transport & Strategic Environment committee agreed today (20th November) to introduce a direct visitor’s bus service from the Yate/Sodbury area to Southmead

But the proposed service wasn’t good enough, pointed out Cllr Dave Hockey (Liberal Democrat, Frampton Cotterell). He drew attention to the proposed timetable that the proposed visitor’s service would only run from Monday to Saturday.

“It is critical that we have this service in place in time for the hospital opening,” Dave told the committee. “And I think visiting is at its highest on Sundays. It might be challenging, but a Sunday service is critical!”

Chairing the meeting, Cllr Pat Hockey (Liberal Democrat, Frampton Cotterell) supported the inclusion, but noted that it would only be viable if tenders came in within budget.

The committee unanimously agreed to tender straight away for a 7 day visitor’s bus service including a Sunday service so that the visitors would have a service by April 2014 when the hospital is due to open.

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