BY the time you read this article, a key decision consultation meeting will have been held in the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) with Bath & North East Somerset, making initial decisions about the future of the X91 Chew Valley Sprint and 99 Chew Valley Cat bus services.

If they are to continue (in this form or a variation of the present) then they have to be registered by January 22, if they are not given the green light then they will end in March 2026 if no other funding is forthcoming.

As I write your three local ward councillors and three members of the Chew Valley CIC Sustainable Transport Group are preparing to speak at the B&NES full council meeting in support of their continuation and we have lobbied everyone we can in Parish Councils and the MCA.

It is not too late to add your voice to the discussion (but very soon it will be). If you want these buses to continue please write to Helen Godwin, the West of England mayor with URGENT in the strapline, and make your own passionate case: [email protected]

If you come to Chew Valley Independent Market (Chew Valley Picnic site/Salt & Malt bus stop) on December 13, show your ticket or a selfie of you on the bus to pick up a free gift and come and print your own tote bag. It runs from 9.30am to 2.30pm, and depending on where you live you may well be able to get there on the X91 or 99 buses.

Meanwhile if you are a local business and would like to hold a bus friendly event in December we can offer good deals and a little funding, to help encourage more footfall your way. Please do get in touch by emailing [email protected]