Following on from the announcement that Wessex Bus are withdrawing the number 19 bus service, which goes through Bishopston & Ashley Down, and my previous blog post, I am pleased to be able to say that a resolution has been found!

Whilst Wessex are withdrawing the 19 as planned, First are going to modify the route of the 72 to follow the route of the 19 from the 4th September.

As you’re coming in to the city the bus will operate its current route to Redland Station, then turn left onto Redland Grove, Cotham Grove, Cotham Road, St Michaels Hill, Tyndall’s Avenue, Elton Road/University Road, Queens Avenue, Park Street then on to Temple Meads. Then of course the opposite way round for travel to UWE.

This will allow passengers to have continued access to both universities and will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. Whilst this change of course leaves the current Whiteladies Road-Redland Road section out, this should have minimal impact as the area is well served by buses into the city along Whiteladies Road and on the 8 & 9 routes.

The downside is for people travelling to UWE from the north of Redland, but this is a very small number. It also leaves the area served by the 19 with no service for August but I don’t think the timescale was feasible for First to get the paperwork in on time to change the route for August.

If you have any questions or comments please let me know at cllr.tom.brook[at]bristol.gov.uk

#19 Bus photo copyright Geof Sheppard and reused under this Creative Commons license.