B&NES Labour Paulton Councillor, John Bull, has presented a 200-signature petition from residents of the village objecting to a change which takes the route of the 178 Bath to Bristol bus away from Ham Lane and Brittens Hill. Passengers from this area now have a ten minute walk to their nearest stop for this service. The petition, presented to the Bath Area First Bus Customer Panel, was collected by passengers and fellow B&NES Labour Paulton Cllr, Liz Hardman.
Speaking to the Panel, Cllr Bull outlined the hardship for elderly and infirm passengers in having to walk to the centre of Paulton to pick up the bus.
The Panel listened sympathetically, but were told by a First Bus Manager that an overhanging tree and parking along Ham Lane had created a situation where safety considerations had prompted the change.
Cllrs Bull and Hardman are now taking up the issue of overhanging trees with B&NES Highways. Cllr Hardman commented: "We will explore every way to restore this route for the greater convenience of Paulton residents."