Transport/Highways

Somerset County Council Bus Consultation & Bus Back Better

Dear All

Following on from the Government’s publication of BUS BACK BETTER plus the announcement of a new Bus Strategy for England, Somerset County Council is now developing a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) for Somerset.

We are therefore forwarding you a copy of the presentation we gave last week to some 100 councils from across Somerset on why Somerset needs a BSIP, along with our thoughts on what strategies should underpin this Somerset BSIP (SBP Principles document attached to this email).

Also the link of Tuesday’s Zoom meeting (just over an hour long video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cLmLn2ocUo&t=85s 

We have now met and been briefed by Somerset County Council on the schedule for the development of the Somerset BSIP. The timetable allowed for consultation is very short.

Somerset is asking for all submissions to be sent to Somerset County Council by Sunday, August 15th. That’s just 2.5 weeks from today. 

We attach their consultation form which they are inviting you to complete.

Additionally, we recommend you also to submit detailed proposals for buses within your own locality. We would strongly urge you to consider making such a submission even though we accept time is short, many councils won’t be meeting in August plus many will be away on holiday. But this is a unique opportunity for you to present your case for much improved bus services in your area.

The forms and any supplementary submission about your local bus needs should be emailed to:

transport@somerset.gov.uk

(or by post to: Somerset County Council,

Silk Mills Park & Ride, Silk Mills Road, Taunton, TA1 5AA)

Please copy in Somerset Bus Partnership if you email the Transport department at Somerset County Council our email address is somersetbuspartnership@gmail.com

If we at the Somerset Bus Partnership can assist in preparing your submission, then please contact us.
You can also view our website: https://www.somersetbuspartnership.co.uk/ or join our social media channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Somerset-Bus-Partnership-105704811629827

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SomersetBusPart

Kind regards

Somerset Bus Partnership