Councils awarded bus scheme cash

Some £42m has been awarded by the Department of Transport to improve bus services in Bristol and its outlying areas over the next four years.

The cash will help produce a network of 10 state-of-the art showcase bus "corridors", serving up to 40 improved bus routes.

South Gloucestershire Council, B&NES, Bristol City Council and North Somerset will all benefit from the money.

Features will include more dedicated bus lanes and enhanced traffic signals.

A spokesman for the four councils said it would lead to greater efficiency.

'Four years'

"We have the green light now to press ahead in developing a trailblazing bus network over the next four years - which will transform our transport choices and make a real difference," he said.

Tony Anthistle, First Bus managing director for Bristol, Somerset and Avon, added: "This is excellent news for everyone involved, especially the residents of the areas, who will benefit hugely from the Showcase schemes and from the Joint Local Transport Plan as a whole.

"We have £20m allocated to purchase new, high-quality low-floor vehicles for use on the 10 Showcase routes."

The Greater Bristol Bus Network's funding package totals £68m with £42m from government, £6m from private developers, while First Bus has pledged investment of a further £20m.