News / hengrove
South Bristol public transport ‘disjointed’, says councillor
A Lib Dem councillor for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park has said that her greatest concerns in the ward are healthcare services and transport links.
Sarah Classick’s ward in south Bristol is in the top ten most deprived areas of the city according to the Deprivation Index.
As the local elections loom, the current and prospective councillor spoke to Bristol24/7 about the main challenges for the city and her ward in particular.
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Public transport is a significant issue, she said. The councillor pointed to the cuts to bus services in her ward, although did acknowledge that things were “definitely better” due to a new Metrobus stop in Thurlestone, Whitchurch.
Sarah Classick is pushing for more bus connectivity in her ward, where bus services have been cut – photo: Martin Booth
Speaking of the difficulties with travelling by bus south of the River Avon, Classick said: “I definitely would want to see more opportunities for people in south Bristol for bus connectivity”.
The councillor who is standing for re-election in the Hengrove and Whitchurch ward, said: “We’re seeing a lot of housing being built, but less so, investment in sort of leisure facilities”.
With the closure of Hengrove’s Cineworld towards the end of last year and the local bingo hall in January, Classick added that the focus “doesn’t seem to be on building communities in the area”.
Hengrove Cineworld closed at the end of November 2023 – photo: Betty Woolerton
Optimistic about the incoming committee system, Classick told Bristol24/7 of her hopes for a more “collaborative” relationship between Bristol’s political parties.
The Lib Dem councillor, who has served in the position since 2021, said: “At the moment we are getting people who say they’re struggling to get appointments, struggling to see doctors, dentists”.
She shared her hopes for extra doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries in her ward, and said that the new committee system could help “the council to be able to use its influence and position” to enact changes like these.
Classick declined to comment on the Yew Tree Farm controversy, after councillors including her voted to expand South Bristol crematorium onto land that is used by the farm.
Bristol goes to the polls on May 2 – you can find the full list of candidates standing here.
Main photo: Tim Kent X
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