Proposal from CHIS regarding a new number 9 bus service

Apr 30, 2023


The following letter was sent on 26 April 2023.

To: Thangam Debbonaire MP, Dan Norris Mayor of WECA, Cllrs O’Rourke, Grant, Denyer, Hathway, Makawi, Poultney, Fodor and Hance

Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society [CHIS] fully supports Bristol City Council and others with their encouragement for use of public transport rather than private vehicles. We hope that those responsible for improving public transport will seriously consider positive suggestions from residents. We are asking for the former No. 9 bus to be reinstated but with a slightly different route that would link more places to the benefit of residents, visitors and those who work in the area. Please see the attached scheme with the important places that would be served in red.

Current Situation

Whiteladies Road/Blackboy Hill separate Cotham and Redland from Clifton and since the removal of the No. 9 there is no direct bus service between these areas for residents to visit, get to schools, attend medical appointments or religious services.

Nor is there a direct bus link from these areas to the Bristol Royal Infirmary or the other nearby hospitals [Childrens’, Heart, Dental, Eye and the Oncology Centre]. Since the removal of the 72A no bus runs from the Triangle along Park Row to these hospitals; people from other parts of north Bristol would be able to change at Triangle East to get on this proposed route. It would then be an asset to a wide community both going to and returning from visiting patients, attending appointments or working there. Parking in that area is very limited and many cannot afford taxis.

In the summer and often at weekends the No.8 going to Clifton is already full by Triangle West and cannot take on more passengers. The reinstatement of the No.9 would help to relieve this situation. [On Saturday 22nd April at 12.45, I was at the Triangle West bus stop to go to Clifton and two No 8 buses went past without stopping because they were full].

Coming up Marlborough Street, Perry Road and Park Row would avoid the Centre and make the timetable easier to adhere to as well as having bus stops for the hospitals for people coming from or going to the train station. The Hospital Community Free Bus does connect the station with the hospitals - including St Michael’s – and runs every 20 minutes, but does not help people coming from the direction of the Triangle.

Bristol City’s statutory requirement to assess the transport impacts of development

“The quality of our built environment affects each of us. Bristol City Council is committed to:

CHIS believes that this proposed route adequately fulfils the second requirement with the bonus of making medical facilities accessible by public transport to communities from a wide area. We know that it would be a most welcome re-instatement and hope that you will positively support the suggestion.

RoseMary Musgrave, CHIS Secretary

FROM TEMPLE MEADS

A38 to Marlborough Street, Upper Maudlin Street, Perry Road, Park Row

(Bristol Eye Hospital, Dental Hospital, BRI, Childrens’ Hospital, Oncology Centre, Bristol Heart Hospital, Bus Station).

Slightly right into

Queens Road (Triangle West)

(Link with 505 (for Southmead Hospital) 8 and other buses), The Museum, Shopping University, Wills Memorial Building).

Continue on

Queens Road onto Merchants Road

(Victoria Rooms, Student Union, short walk to The Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, Buckingham Chapel)

Right into

Regent Street and Clifton Down Road to Clifton Village bus stop.

(Suspension Bridge, Christchurch, Observatory, shops etc.).

3rd left on roundabout then right into

Clifton Park

Left into

Pembroke Rd

(Catholic Cathedral, All Saints Church, near 111 Pembroke Road Surgery and Clifton College).

Right into

Alma Road

Left into

Whiteladies Road/Blackboy Hill

(Cinema, Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Clifton Down Station, Whiteladies Health Centre, Redland Library, Saturday Farmers’ Market, Bristol Chinese Christian Church, Redland Park United Reform Church and Bristol Korean Church, Tyndale Baptist Church, close to St John’s Primary School)

Turn right onto

Redland Hill

(The Spire Hospital, Bristol Steiner School)

Turn Right onto

Redland Road

(Redland Church, Redland Tennis Courts and close to Redland Green School)

Turn right into

Redland Grove/Cotham Grove

(Redland Station, Cotham Gardens Primary School).

Turn right into

Cotham Road

(Cotham Church, Cotham Grammar School, near Kingsdown Sports Centre, The Hampton Clinic, The Family Practice Western College).

Turn left onto St Michael’s Hill

St Michaels Hill

(St Michael’s Hospital, Maternity Hospital)

Turn right into

Tyndall Avenue

(University of Bristol, Royal Fort Gardens, University Library).

Almost straight ahead to

Elton Road and down Queen’s Avenue

(University, Bristol Grammar School)

Turn left onto

Queen’s Road

(Shopping, University, Museum, 505 bus to Hotwells, Wills Memorial Building, Victoria Rooms)

Keeping left go to

Park Row, Perry Road, Upper Maudlin Street, Marlborough Street

(This would be a MAJOR LINK for the Oncology Centre, Bristol Heart Hospital, the Childrens’ Hospital. Bristol Royal Infirmary, Dental Hospital and Eye Hospital as well as the Bus Station).

onto

A38 to Temple Meads Station.

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