The campaign to get the 6 and 7 bus link between Fairfield Park and Larkhall restored will move up a gear next month when protestors put forward their case to councillors at a Guildhall council meeting.
The ‘looped’ First Bus 6 & 7 route was cut in two last year after the council axed an annual £39,000 subsidy.
It means that Fairfield Park residents going to their nearest local shops in Larkhall and on London Road must get two buses, or else drive or walk.
More than 100 people attended a protest meeting last November, and more than 2,400 have signed a paper petition calling for the restoration of the subsidy and the linked route.
Councillors will hear the campaign’s arguments and consider its petition at their 13th July meeting.
Campaigners also plan to hold a protest demo outside the Guildhall.
“We plan to tell the council that this problem has not gone away,” said the campaign’s leader, Cllr. Lin Patterson (Green Party, Lambridge).
“The £39,000 subsidy cut has reduced the 6/7 service in such a way as to cut the public transport connection between two once-closely linked communities, with Fairfield Park now being the only district in Bath served by a bus that does not provide a direct two-way connection to its local centre.
“The idea that the route change affects only a small number of people is mistaken. It’s made life very difficult, especially for elderly people, and parents with young children.
“The alternatives – for a journey of no more than two miles – are walking up and down very steep hills, or taxis and private cars, both of which are expensive and add to the pollution this council says constantly it wants to see reduced.”
Larkhall’s shops have also been ‘adversely affected’ by the route change, Cllr. Patterson added.
“Bath’s suburban retail centres are vital, since – contrary to what some B&NES councillors appear to be believe – not everyone wants to go the city centre shops.”