NEW bus services have been announced by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) representing a significant improvement for residents in rural areas.

The new rural bus network will launch from July 26 alongside new services connecting rural communities to key destinations including Bath, Bristol, Keynsham, the Somer, Chew and Cam valleys.

The X91 connecting passengers between Ubley and Bristol, via West Harptree, East Harptree, Bishop Sutton, with an extension to Dundry is to continue after a petition by residents to WECA to keep the service running.

A new hourly service, route 100 will run between Bath and Bristol to serve Timsbury, Farmborough, Bishop Sutton, and Chew Valley, while a new 90-minute service between Bishop Sutton and Radstock including Chew Magna, Paulton, and Midsomer Norton, will link Chew Valley to Somer Valley on the 101 service.

B&NES Liberal Democrat councillors Sarah Warren and Fiona Gourley worked closely with officers to help design the new rural bus network in North East Somerset.

Cllr Sarah Warren, said: “We have listened to councillors, campaigners and residents, as well as drawing on detailed connectivity data.

“We have planned new routes which we hope will meet our residents’ needs better, helping them access education, work, healthcare, shopping and leisure.

“The new network should be fairer, helping to connect more stranded communities, delivering more frequent services and better timetables, and connecting rural communities to key destinations as well as to each other.”

WESTlink is available outside of Bath and Bristol city centres for passengers who cannot easily connect to the West’s bus network bookable via the app or over phone,

Recent improvements to WESTlink have increased availability and reduced journey times with use rising by 15 per cent in recent months.

Changes to bus services will come into effect from July 26 with all the details available on TravelWest website at travelwest.info/bus/bus-service-changes