More bus services axed as subsidies cut

BUS passengers face further cuts after a vote on subsidised services left 42 of them facing the axe from April.

They include the 17 service, which links Fishponds to Southmead Hospital, Kingswood and Keynsham.

The service cuts were signed off by the West of England combined authority on January 18, as the region’s political leaders blamed each other and the government for the cuts.

The axed bus routes form 60% of the region’s 69 subsidised services. Many link rural areas to towns and cities but, in addition to the 17, there are several that run within Bristol.

During the meeting, West of England mayor Dan Norris blamed the leaders of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and B&NES councils for not paying enough, with this year’s increase to their transport levy less than inflation, while council leaders accused WECA of wasting money.

Mr Norris said: "We have £20 a head per year for our transport levy, and that compares to the ones at the top of the combined authorities in other parts of the country, that are £60 a head."

From April, passengers in many areas will be able to use a new ‘demand responsive transport’ minibus services, called West Link, to connect areas with little or no scheduled service to main routes.

The service will not serve Fishponds but will run in some parts of south Bristol, as well as large parts of North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The Metro Mayor stressed that West Link was not a replacement for subsidised services, despite launching at the same time many subsidised routes are withdrawn. He said funding came from a government scheme which could only be spent on "new and innovative" forms of transport.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Council considers rent controls

RENT controls could soon be needed in Bristol to stop housing costs becoming “increasingly unaffordable”.

The council does not have legal power to introduce rent controls, but City Hall chiefs are lobbying the government to change the law.

In a council debate in January, Labour and Greens councillors backed the idea of bringing in controls, while Conservatives opposed it.

According to council figures, the cost of privately renting a home in the city has increased by more than 50 per cent over the past decade and is considered to be a huge factor in the increase of homelessness.

About 16 councillors did not take part in the debate, as they were landlords or tenants.

Other measures agreed in the debate include the option of creating a rogue landlord database and an index of rental prices.

Welcoming Spaces set to stay

BRISTOL'S Welcoming Spaces programme to provide warm places for people struggling with heating bills could become a permanent fixture.

There are now 82 places in the city council coordinated scheme, which launched with 22 in October. In the Fishponds area they include the Vassall Centre, Hillfields Community Hub, Hillfields Library, Oldbury Court Children's Centre, Speedwell Children's Centre, Shahjalal Jame Mosque and Colliers Gardens Extra Care Home.

Eastville ward councillor Marley Bennett told a recent council meeting that the warm places had provided a “lifeline to families across Bristol” and asked if they could continue permanently.

Deputy mayor and Hillfields councillor Craig Cheney said the council was conducting a survey to understand how successful the programme had been before deciding any future plans for the concept.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service