Major Bus Service Changes Implemented Across North Somerset

Significant changes have been made to bus services in North Somerset following a collaborative review by First Bus and North Somerset Council earlier this year. This review assessed passenger usage and community needs to streamline services, reduce council subsidies, and sustain the future of local bus transport.

One key update involves the re-routing of the number 9 bus beginning Sunday, June 1, 2025. This change addresses concerns from the community about the accessibility of the High Street and Waterloo Street areas, previously served by the number 7 route in Weston-super-Mare. The number 9 will now travel via Alfred Street and the Boulevard before turning right onto Knightstone Road along the seafront. Notably, stops at Winter Gardens and Marine Parade will be discontinued, with the Thatched Cottage stop serving as the alternative.

In addition to route changes, timetable adjustments have been made to better support students of Nailsea School using the X9 service. Morning buses will now arrive five minutes earlier, while afternoon buses are delayed by five minutes to accommodate school schedules and after-school activities. These changes also take effect on June 1, 2025.

Cllr Hannah Young, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, acknowledged community feedback highlighting some difficulties with the April service changes. She emphasized the council’s commitment to working closely with bus operators to balance resource allocation and maintain vital community services, supported by significant Government funding.

For residents in Milton relying on the number 7 service to reach Weston seafront, a suggested route involves traveling to Weston Interchange on the 7, then transferring to the number 9, which services key stops including past Tesco, the Boulevard, and Marine Lake. Other routes like the 6, 7, and 9 also connect to Weston Interchange, from where the seafront is accessible on foot.

For detailed information on bus routes and schedules in North Somerset, residents are encouraged to visit travelwest.info.