Keynsham's bus service to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway lost in changes

KEYNSHAM has lost its direct bus service to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway following the introduction of a raft of timetable changes by operator First.

The 318 service between the town and Cribbs has been withdrawn from today.

Residents of Keynsham will now need to catch two buses to reach the popular shopping centre, travelling via either Kingswood or Broadmead to board a connecting service to The Mall.

First claims the withdrawn service has been countered by improvements to other routes, such as the new half-hourly 319 service between Bath and Cribbs Causeway.

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In all, First has made changes to 19 bus services following a review of its operations.

The public transport company, which runs the majority of bus services in Bristol, says the changes are designed to improve the punctuality and reliability of services and "give customers additional opportunities to travel".

The number 70, which connects the University of the West of England's Frenchay campus with the city centre, has had its route extended to serve Bristol Temple Meads railway station seven days a week.

In addition, a new 338 service will provide direct services between Bristol, Keynsham and Bath.

Simon Ford, regional network manager for First in the South West and Wales, said: "Having fully reviewed our operations in and around Bristol and considered the best way to get the most from our current resources in and around the city, we are making a series of changes to the local network.

"Specifically we are making some changes to increase the consistency of our timetables throughout the week, for instance we are amending Service 70 so that all journeys operate to and from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, providing a number of new journey opportunities.

"In addition, we have reviewed those inter-urban services we operate between places such as Bristol and Bath and have amended some where necessary.

"We are, for instance, introducing a brand new Service 338 which will provide direct services between Bristol, Keynsham and Bath.

"Working in conjunction with Service 339/X39 this will provide an equal spread of departures connecting the two cities and will provide valuable commuter links for those people living in between."

Of the axing of the Keynsham to Cribbs Causeway link, Mr Ford said: "Service 318 has been withdrawn but changes to this route have been countered by improvements to others, for instance Service 319, and the remaining gaps have been covered by alterations elsewhere (for instance to Service 507, which is provided by a third party operator under contract to the council).

"We believe that the changes that are being made will have a positive effect on bus users in the region, providing more journey opportunities in many places."

● New timetables can be viewed at www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath, while timetables are available to pick up at Travel Shops in the region. Information is also available by calling Traveline on 0871 200 2233.