Just to confirm, Firstbus will be changing the number 5 bus route on 29th April 2018 as per the recent consultation.
This is initially for a trial period to see if the new route will work, after which they will decide if the new route will be adopted or if it will revert back to the previous route.
Therefore from 29th April 2018 the number 5 bus will be travelling to the end of Newton Road, going up Pennyquick, turning into The Hollow, down to mini roundabout by Beehive Surgery, where it will turn up into Haycombe Drive. It will go around Haycombe Drive to the stop at the circle of trees, it will the go back around the trees and then down North Way to pick up the old route back down through Twerton and into town.
This is the route that was proposed by Firstbus following numerous issues on roads around Twerton. It will mean that people living on Wedgwood Road, Poolemead Road and Shaws Way would need to remain on the bus from town until it comes back down through Twerton.
We will also be monitoring this new route as there are a few points of concern.
An accident waiting to happen turning into penny quick from Newton road
This is an issue I flagged when they first proposed this route, nut Firstbus insisted this has all been checked. I will be closely monitoring exactly how safe this is throuhout their trial period.
First group should of checked with all living on the shaws way route including Cameley Green, my mother is registered disabled & used the bus from shaws way several times per week to get her pension out & visit my sister at Wedgewood Rd.
I honestly feel that the people who genuinely need to catch their bus to go up the hill have been let down.
For my mother to now go up the hill she has to walk all the way down to newton rd when she had limited walking ability, absolutely ridiculous!
People have been let down – this is a great way of introducing more elderly & disabled to becoming shut off from society.
The proposed changes were advertised last year and the route Firstbus have proposed was delayed due to them changing their original plans following the responses from the consultation the carried out. They are introducing this change on a trial basis and I will be monitoring the effect and impact it has to feedback to Firstbus.
They are putting drivers and passengers lives in danger by entering penyquick, ( accident black spot) it’s bad enough trying to enter with a car.
This was told to firstbus when they proposed the route, but they believe it is a feasible option.
Would be great if you had a bus stop at the top of the hollow,so people visiting the cemetery had better access to visit loved ones
I have mentioned this to them and they have agreed o look at the possibility of this, if the changes are made perminent