CAMPAIGNERS are calling on Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell residents to act now to ensure they do not lose vital bus services.
Concerns have been raised that when the M4 Badminton Road bridge is reopened next year, the Y1 and Y2 services to Bristol and Yate, which currently serve both villages, will stop running via Bristol Road and Church Road.
The routes were temporarily diverted there from the A432 when the bridge shut in July 2023.
Between them the Y1 and Y2 run around four times per hour but if both reverted to the Badminton Road through Coalpit Heath, the other villages would be left with to rely on the Y6, which only runs every 90 minutes.
A public meeting has been called to ensure that residents’ voices are taken into account when timetables and routes are looked at again after the bridge reopens.
It has been organised by the newly-formed Frome Valley Environmental Network, and will take place on Wednesday November 12 at 6pm, at the Greenfield Centre in Winterbourne.
Laura Fogg-Rogers, from FVEN, said: “Our villages are once again facing the threat of losing vital bus routes. The Y1 and Y2 services, which currently connect us to schools, hospitals, work, and social life, may be re-routed when the Badminton Road bridge re-opens.
“We know from bitter experience how damaging this would be; young people left struggling to reach education, and older residents cut off from healthcare and community connections.
“This meeting, led by the Frome Valley Environmental Network, will bring together local residents, parish councils, and partners including Reclaim Our Buses and the West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel Network (WESTACT), to call for fair, reliable, and sustainable public and active transport.
“With 9,000 people in our villages, we cannot allow our community to be cut off. Join us, raise your voice, and help us make sure our needs are heard loud and clear.”
‘Clear demand’ for services on both routes
The Y1, Y2 and Y6 are run by the region’s main bus operator, First.
A company spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are in contact with the local council regarding the reopening of the A432 Badminton Road Bridge but no decision has yet been made regarding bus routes.
“As with any route reopening, we will continue to work closely with the council to ensure the community’s travel needs are met.”
The region’s Metro Mayor, Helen Godwin, has responsibility for coordinating transport.
At a recent meeting of the West of England Combined Authority, Laura asked the Mayor what WECA was doing about the issue.
The mayor said: “Officers from the regional authority are in discussions with First Bus regarding the routing of these bus services following the re-opening of Badminton Road.
“At present, no final decisions have been made on the routing of the services from Spring 2026.”
If commercial services are moved, South Gloucestershire Council is responsible for funding subsidised services.
A council spokesperson said: “The Y1 and Y2 bus routes are operated commercially by First Bus, with additional support from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to help improve service frequency.
“While no formal funding requests have been made at this time, the closure of the overbridge has highlighted a clear demand for a bus service for both Winterbourne and Badminton Road.
“Following our continued lobbying, First Bus has expressed a strong interest in continuing to serve Winterbourne once the overbridge reopens, and we welcome their intention to explore options as part of the next scheduled service review in April 2026.”