1,000-name petition as Bristol passengers fight to save bus service

South Bristol residents have launched a campaign to fight First's plans to cut the 52 bus service.

A petition organised by the Highridge Forum group has already attracted 960 signatures and a public meeting to protest against the proposal is planned for later this month.

The 52 runs from Hengrove to the city centre, via Hartcliffe, Bishopsworth, Highridge, Bedminster Down and Bedminster. It also passes the South Bristol Crematorium.

Residents say cutting the service would leave elderly residents in the south of the city stranded.

But First says it isn't well used enough to justify it continuing.

The company has proposed axing the route completely as part of a raft of changes, due to come into effect next month.

Don Smith, 70 of Cutler Road, is the chairman of the Highridge Forum.

He has organised the public meeting for March 17, at 7pm in Bedminster Down Ex-servicemen's Club, in Cheddar Grove.

First, MPs, councillors and residents are all invited to attend.

Mr Smith, a retired carpenter, said: "We're getting support from Highridge and parts of Hartcliffe.

"It's the only bus that goes to the crematorium, a lot of people use it for that and we have a lot of OAPs in this area. It depends on the time of day, but I've been on it coming back from town and it's full up."

Another Highridge resident. Andree Dyke is also upset at the proposed cut.

She said: "We've had three changes to the service in the last five months. Now they're going to take it away.

"They've improved the 90 service but it goes nowhere near Highridge.

"Concerts in the summertime, we can't get to those now.

"How are we supposed to get to the new hospital? They've just cut off a whole city."

First says only 12 people travel on each eight-and-a-half mile journey on the average 52, with five of them concessionary pass holders.

Bristol City Council previously funded a number of services on evenings, Sundays and bank holidays on the 52, but withdrew them last year. Again, the authority said they weren't well enough used.

When the Evening Post sent a reporter out to catch an evening service, we found only one passenger on the bus.

A First spokesman said they would look at the petition when they receive it.

Karen Baxter said: "We understand that people are concerned about the loss of service 52, and we have met with some local residents, councillors and a representative from Dawn Primarolo's office to hear local peoples' concerns and discuss some possible alternatives.

"The facts remain, though; too few people use service 52 in its present form, meaning it is not commercially sustainable.

"As such the service will cease to operate on April 4.

"We will, of course, listen to the views of local people and their elected representatives, and where commercially viable, we will respond to their suggestions."