THE next round of bus stop improvements in North Somerset will start next month.

Around 150 bus stops along bus routes in Weston, Portishead, Congresbury and more – service numbers 6, 7, X1, X4 & X5 – are set to receive a facelift as part of the North Somerset Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, funded by the government.

The improvements – including improvements to seating, lighting and wheelchair and pushchair accommodation – are being rolled out over several phases during the next 12 months.

The first wave of upgrades got underway in January, with the second round set to begin in May.

Bus stops in the following locations will be upgraded as part of the North Somerset programme:

• The George, Backwell
• Clevedon: Old Street, Southern Way and Strode Road
• A370 Puxton to Congresbury
• Congresbury: Weston Road and Bristol Road
• Priory Road, Easton-in-Gordano
• Martcombe Road, Portbury
• Station Road, Sheepway
• Weston-super-Mare: Locking Parklands (Apprentice Way), New Bristol Road, Bideford Road, Milton Road, Baytree Road, Spring Hill Drive, Ebdon Road, Wansborough Road, Bournville Road, Asda, Broadway, Lonsdale Avenue, Windwhistle Circle, Devonshire Road, Canberra Road, Loxton Road, A370, A371, Winterstoke Road, The Boulevard
• Pill: Ham Green, Pill Road, A369
• Portishead: Sheepway, Harbour Road, Station Road, A369, Avon Way, Nore Road, West Hill

READ MORE: Hundreds of North Somerset bus shelters to get a makeover thanks to government funding

Cllr Hannah Young, executive member for highways and transport at NSC, said: “I’m delighted that we are now starting work on upgrading our second batch of bus stops and shelters.

“The first wave of upgrades on Locking Road and New Bristol Road in Weston-super-Mare has been completed. We are aware some of the new seats have been damaged as part of the programme and we are working with the supplier to get them replaced making them stronger and more resilient against potential vandalism.

“It’s only through government Bus Service Improvement Plan grant funding that we are able to make these improvements.

“We know that visible stops, timely information and more comfortable shelters make a real difference to passengers.

“I hope that together with the grant funding we allocate to support local services and keep fares low more people will choose public transport as an accessible and cost-effective option.”

The bus stop at The George, Backwell, is among those getting a makeover in the rollout starting next month. Picture: Google

The nature of the upgrades will vary depending on the current bus shelter type, the council said, but will include one or more of the following enhancements:

• New, comfortable seating with armrests, made from recycled plastic.
• Dedicated space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and pushchairs.
• New LED lighting with dusk-to-dawn sensors to reduce energy consumption.
• Shelters with living green roofs in urban areas to support biodiversity, enhance green spaces, attract wildlife, and reduce carbon emissions.
• Durable shelters with solar panels to power new technology and lighting.
• Digital real-time information screens to provide live updates on bus arrival times, along with an audio function to assist passengers with visual impairments or reading difficulties.
• Improved road crossings to bus stops where possible.
• Enhanced road markings to better highlight bus stop locations.

The improvements are fully funded by the UK Government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan.