By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Council leaders say they are working to remove “bus deserts” on the east side of Southampton.
Article continues after this message...
In many areas residents wanting to travel from one side of the city to the other have to change bus in the city centre.
Jacqui Rayment, pictured, Labour councillor responsible for transport, said the plan was for everyone to be within reasonable walking distance of a bus service.
She announced the work with operator Bluestar to review services serving the east of the city at a council meeting on Wednesday, May 20.
Cllr Rayment, who only took on the transport portfolio last week, said parts of the east of the city had felt a bit neglected for a long time.
She mentioned Thornhill, Sholing and Harefield in particular.
The Labour councillor for Bevois said: “The council and Bluestar are working through the details to enhance a range of services that we expect to implement in the autumn, hopefully by the beginning of September.
“This will include buses direct from the east side of the city over to the General Hospital without having to change in town.
“These improvements are being delivered through the council’s bus service improvement programme.”
Reform UK group leader Sarah Powell-Vaughan asked if there was a timescale for members receiving an update on the proposals.
Cllr Rayment said she was due to attend a bus programme partnership board meeting in July and plans should be in place in September for the autumn.
She said: “Collectively, it doesn’t matter what (party) colour you are, we have been fighting to get better buses from east to west for a number of years under different powers and different administrations.
“It looks like fingers crossed with fair wind we will get there.”
Cllr Rayment said particular focus included services for Thornhill, Sholing and Harefield, which had been a “bus desert for a long time”.
She added: “It is the whole east side of the city we are trying to cover.
“I am not saying we will be able to deliver the whole thing but my aspiration and I know it was ex-councillor (Alex) Winning’s aspiration that that’s what we achieved.”
Photo: Southampton Labour
This article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Some alterations/additions may have been made by our site - a BBC Local News Partnerships member. BBC-funded LDRS journalists cover local authorities and public service organisations, with content shared by all partners.