NORTH Somerset residents living in Claverham and Cleeve will have access to a new bus service from April this year.

From Sunday, April 7, the X5 bus service which runs between Portishead and Weston will be re-routed to serve the villages.

The decision to do this was made following requests from local people at North Somerset Council's first bus forum, which was held in December.

Once the changes come into force, the X5 will no longer travel through Smallway in Congresbury. The X5, X1, and A3 buses will continue to serve the wider Congresbury area.

The service will still travel through Smallway signal junction as well as the Wood Hill/Bristol Road junction.

Changes are set to be made on the A370 Wood Hill junction as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which aims to make bus travel more appealing.

Currently, there are often delays on the junction, which causes disruption to the A1 bus route and traffic heading into Bristol as well as the X5 and A3. 

The X5 will also be re-routed in Clevedon via Kenn Road from April 7 to serve the new Pottery Retirement Village at the request of residents.

The service will no longer serve Southern Way, Old Church Road and Great Western Road. Residents will still be able to access public transport, since Southern Way and Old Church Road is served by the X6 and X7 services.

In Portishead, the X5 will be re-routed via Wyndham Way in both directions meaning that it will longer travel through Harbour Road.

The area will still be served by the X4 and the X10 bus.

Cllr Hannah Young, executive member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: “North Somerset Council is committed to working collaboratively with residents who understand their areas’ needs best.

"Having listened to residents of Claverham at last year’s Bus Forum in December, we’re delighted that the X5 bus service now connects Claverham to our wider region.”

Cllr Steve Bridger, local ward member for Yatton, said: “I'm delighted that with the support of the council the residents of Claverham will be re-connected to the bus network.

"I know how isolating many have found the last eighteen months without such a vital bus link.”