A VITAL bus service has been restored to Chipping Sodbury.

Operator First Bus has announced that from May 27 the 82 bus will once again link the town with Yate, Southmead Hospital and beyond.

After a route reorganisation in 2016, the service was withdrawn from Chipping Sodbury.

Since then, people travelling to and from the hospital have had to take one bus to Yate and swap there to a connecting service, which often involves a wait.

A spokesman for First Bus said: “Following numerous requests from customers, the company has decided to extend the route beyond Yate to Chipping Sodbury.

“The extension will provide residents with a direct service to Bristol Parkway station, Cribbs Causeway and Southmead Hospital.

“The frequency of service 82 will be improved to operate a more clockface hourly pattern of departures, compared with the current frequency of up to every 90 minutes.

“And following requests from staff working at Southmead Hospital, the first Monday to Friday journey to Southmead Hospital will arrive earlier.”

He said double-decker vehicles would be added to the route to provide additional capacity at peak times.

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall, who has been a leading campaigner for the restoration of the 82 bus service to Chipping Sodbury, said he was very pleased to hear the news. 

He said: “I am delighted that working alongside local businesses, residents and campaigners across Yate, Chipping Sodbury and Frampton Cotterell that First Bus has listened to our calls for three key improvements to this vital service.

“It has taken some time but our campaign never gave up. I would like to thank each and every resident and campaigner who helped me secure these improvements along the way.”

Following feedback from residents, Mr Hall started a petition and campaign calling for increased frequency and capacity of the service, its return to Chipping Sodbury, and earlier start times for NHS staff and patients.

Cllr Claire Young, South Gloucestershire Council’s Lib Dem leader, who also petitioned for the 82’s return, said: “This is a real win for bus users in Chipping Sodbury.

“I am delighted that First Bus have finally listened.”

Not all of the changes being made by First Bus are good news though. On Sundays and public holidays, the 82 service drops to two hourly rather than hourly.