FAO News Editors, Political Editors

Saturday 29th March 2025

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

[STARTS] Decline in Bus Services Across Bath and North East Somerset Exposed by Government Report

The UK government’s latest official bus statistics report has revealed a concerning decline in bus services across Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES). Despite claims of bus ridership growth, B&NES continues to fall behind national and regional averages for bus service frequency and passenger journeys.

The data shows a sharp drop in bus journeys per head across the South West during 2020-2021, with B&NES (represented by the red line) remaining below both national and regional averages. The region has struggled to recover to pre-pandemic ridership levels and continues to lag behind.

While public funding for buses increased post-2020, bus ridership in B&NES has not kept pace, raising concerns about the effectiveness of this funding. The reported increase in local bus journeys (from 8 million in 2021-2022 to 9 million in 2022-2023) contradicts the decline in service frequency, suggesting overcrowding or unmet demand. This trend is evident across the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) region, with South Gloucestershire and Bristol also facing funding shortfalls. This reflects the impact of the Best Value notice, which has hindered the growth and potential of public transport in recent years.

It’s important to note that large cities, including London, continue to heavily subsidise bus services, skewing national data. Rural areas like Wiltshire are also forced to subsidise routes to ensure they exist at all. This disparity further highlights the challenges faced by smaller areas like B&NES, where public transport remains underfunded.

A report from Friends of the Earth further underscores the severity of the issue, revealing a 48% decline in urban bus services and a 52% drop in rural services since 2008. In B&NES, bus service frequency has dropped by 61.4% since 2010, with similar reductions seen across the WECA region:

• B&NES: Down by 61.4% since 2010
• North Somerset: Down by 65.8%
• South Gloucestershire: Down by 47.9%
• Bristol: Down by 40.4%

These reductions have significantly impacted local communities, particularly in rural areas. The Green Group is calling for urgent action to restore and expand bus services across the region. With ridership still lagging, it’s crucial that both the government and local authorities prioritise investment in service frequency and reliability.

Without meaningful improvements in public transport, communities in B&NES will continue to face poor connectivity, undermining the local economy and climate goals.

The post Decline in Bus Services Across Bath and North East Somerset Exposed by Government Report appeared first on South West Green Party.

Despite clear and overwhelming opposition from residents, the council pressed ahead with the scheme, showing their disregard for the community’s voices. After facing mounting criticism and pressure, the council has finally cancelled the proposal in an open letter. However, this last-minute change is little more than a reactive measure, reflecting the administration’s failure to engage with residents, meaningfully.

The Green Group has welcomed the council’s backtrack, with Councillor Joanna Wright, Leader of the Greens and representing Lambridge ward, adding: 

“The cancellation is a small victory for residents, but it highlights the incompetence of a council more focused on winning the votes of a few than actually listening to the concerns of the community. This is not the way to plan for a better Bath or create Liveable Neighbourhoods.”

Rather than relying on rushed, poorly thought-out schemes, the Greens are calling for a more thoughtful, evidence-based approach to traffic management in East Bath. They are proposing the creation of a community-led Liveable Neighbourhood for the east of Bath, which would address traffic, air quality, and congestion issues in a way that benefits the entire community, not just a select few.

In response to the council’s failure, Lambridge Councillors are urging the administration to work across political ward boundaries and engage with the community in a meaningful way to come up with a better plan for the East of Bath.

The Green Group is also demanding greater transparency and public consultation to ensure that the voices of all Bath residents are genuinely heard and considered in future decisions.

Lambridge Councillors are inviting the community to another public meeting at the New Oriel Hall on Wednesday 19 March, from 6-7.15 pm to hear their thoughts on a better plan for our community. Cllr Manda Rigby and the Liveable Neighbourhoods team have been invited to this meeting. 

The post East of Bath Deserves Better: A win for the community! appeared first on South West Green Party.

Key Points of the Motion:

• Rent Controls: Call for government powers to introduce rent controls in B&NES to keep housing affordable.
• Capping Short-Term Lets: Propose limits on short-term holiday rentals in high-demand areas and stronger planning rules for properties rented over 90 days a year.
• End Right to Buy: Urge an end to the Right to Buy scheme to protect social housing stock and enable councils to build more homes.
• Reclaiming Empty Homes: Explore incentives for refurbishing empty properties and expand Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to bring unused homes back into use.

Councillor Joanna Wright, Leader of the Green Group, commented:

“Our city’s tourism generates nearly half a billion pounds each year, but local people are struggling with rising housing costs. House prices in B&NES have jumped over 72% in the last decade, and rents rose by 5.2% in the past year alone. Families are being pushed out of their own neighbourhoods. This must change.

“Affordable housing is important, but social housing is vital for those most in need. We need a balanced approach that supports everyone—from young families to older residents seeking security.”

Councillor Saskia Heijltjes added: 

“Short-term holiday lets are contributing to the housing squeeze, with over 1,000 properties listed in Bath alone. Rent controls and caps on these lets are essential to keep the city liveable for residents.

“We must also end Right to Buy, which has reduced social housing stock for too long. Empty homes shouldn’t sit unused while people need homes. Let’s take action now to ensure our community remains vibrant and inclusive.”

The Green Group’s motion seeks immediate steps to prioritise residents’ needs, balance the benefits of tourism, and make Bath and North East Somerset a place where people can thrive.

The motion received 40 votes against, 4 for and 4 abstentions.

[ENDS]

Anna Mounteney – Green Group Political Support Officer 

Telephone: 07539746656

Email: anna_mounteney@bathnes.gov.uk

The post B&NES Greens Demand Urgent Action to Tackle Housing Crisis appeared first on South West Green Party.

Despite expectations that Vision Zero would be on the agenda for last Thursday’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel, it was instead subsumed within a Cabinet Member update – an approach the Green Group describes as inadequate for such an important issue. Without a dedicated agenda item, the public wasn’t properly informed and was denied the opportunity to contribute, obstructing meaningful scrutiny.

The situation worsened when Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, a Panel member, was requested to submit her statement in full in advance of the meeting. The BathNES Green Group challenged this request. This forced Saskia’s to submit the statement’s title to Democratic Services and speak as a member of the public.

Councillor Joanna Wright stepped in and substituted for Saskia. This highlights wider issues with how Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels are run at B&NES, including poor preparation, restricted time for questions, and weak scrutiny.

Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, who proposed the motion, said:
“We are disappointed by the lack of transparency and engagement around Vision Zero. The motion was passed a year ago, and it stated that the administration would be reporting back to the relevant scrutiny panel in 12 months. Public safety is at stake, and we need to be sure that real action is being taken.”

Recent serious incidents, including a teenager taken to hospital after being hit by a driver on Newbridge Road and a woman seriously injured in a collision on Mount Road, underscore the urgency of Vision Zero. These collisions highlight the need for up-to-date data to inform highway projects. The Green Group is calling for better access to up-to-date information on fatalities and serious injuries to guide future decisions.

The motion outlined several key steps to reduce casualties, including:

• Enforcing 20mph zones and safer driving practices in partnership with the police.
• Identifying the 10 most dangerous locations for targeted improvements.
• Expanding school streets and promoting cycling by council officers.

However, the Green Group has raised concerns about the removal of key cycling infrastructure in new projects and the lack of adherence to best practice guidelines, such as LTN 1/20, in recent consultations.

Councillor Heijltjes added:
“To achieve Vision Zero, we need to follow best practices and take bold, evidence-based action. We need clear, consistent policies that prioritise safety above all else.”

The Green Group is now calling for a dedicated Vision Zero update at the next meeting in January or March 2025, to ensure the issue receives the attention it deserves.

Green leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, concluded:
“Vision Zero is not just a bold goal, it’s a necessary one. Every day of delay puts more lives at risk. We need immediate, decisive action to make our streets safer for all.”

The post Greens Demand Action on Vision Zero to End Road Deaths in B&NES appeared first on South West Green Party.