'People Power' was being celebrated in Writhlington and Radstock last week as local activists, who have been campaigning to improve bus services in the area, were able to board their new 768 evening service that they had wanted so desperately. Tens of activists, residents and community leaders rode the new service won by their campaign.

The Writhlington Action Team, consisting of Independent Councillors, community leaders, residents and Labour Party members and Councillors, rode the new evening bus service down the hill from Writhlington to Radstock to symbolise the new-found freedom and success of the campaign.

With the help of 'Movement for Change', the team have won improvements to timetables, shelters, and additional evening services running from Writhlington to Bath and back again.

The 768 bus will now have an additional service leaving Writhlington at 17.03. The 178 will now also run from Bath to Writhlington twice in the late evening, at 19.40 and 23.05.

Sue Bond, one of the key activists in the campaign, said: "Working on the campaign alongside other members of the community and with the help of Movement for Change was a fantastic experience and showed just what our community can achieve if we all pull together. The new evening bus service will give a new lease of life to many different people in the village and I look forward to what we can achieve together in the future."

Nick Toogood, an Independent Councillor, who helped in the campaign, said: "It is great to see so many different people from all over the area work together to get what we want for our village. I couldn't be more pleased with the results."

Lesley Mansell, Labour Activist and Radstock Town Council Chair, said: "Movement for Change have been a great catalyst in Writhington, bringing residents together. This has resulted in a major achievement with new bus services for the area and will mean a great deal to people who need to travel home later, especially shift workers, and improves safety for young people and those with children who now have the choice of extra buses.

"I am proud to be involved in the bus campaign and give my full support to the Writhlington people to make sure they get a fair share from Bath and North East Somerset Council as they do seem to be overlooked."

Mike Boulton, Radstock Town Councillor, said: "It was great to be involved in the campaign. It goes to show that if people get involved, we can win real changes for our community."

Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Todd Foreman, said: "Affordable and reliable public transport is essential for quality of life and economic development and this type of transport is lacking in many parts of North East Somerset.

Securing the additional bus service for, and with, the people of Writhlington is a fantastic example of what the community working together can do. Through much hard work, team work and tenacity, the Writhlington Action Group has made a huge difference. I am confident that this is not a one-off and that we will see residents joining together again and again to inspire positive change for North East Somerset."