Lib Dems present petition for better bus services in Spike Island.

9.28.00am GMT Wed 9th Mar 2005

Local Lib Dem Mark Wright (right) believes that the lack of an off peak 500 bus services makes some Spike Island residents prisoners in their own home.

A petition of 130 signatures of Spike Island residents calling on the council to extend their bus service was submitted to a Cabinet meeting of Bristol Council on Tuesday 8th March by Mark Wright, a Liberal Democrat campaigner and prospective councillor for Cabot Ward.

Despite being almost in the city centre, Spike Island is isolated by the docks and river Avon, and is served by only one bus - the 500 "Baltic Wharf Loop" - which doesn't run in the evenings or on Sundays.

Commenting, Mark said "Spike Island residents love the number 500 bus, but the lack of an evening or Sunday service effectively confines those without transport to their homes. If you're shopping in Broadmead on Saturday and you miss the last bus at 6pm, you've got to get a taxi home - it's ridiculous!"

The 500 service is not economically viable by itself, and is subsidised by the council. The petition calls on the council to make extra funding available to extend the service.