A new bus service, from Bathwick Hill to the city centre over Pulteney Bridge, starts today.

Bugler Coaches’ 18B service is the first to take residents directly to the city centre since the Conservatives caused the route to be scrapped three years ago.

Liberal Democrats on the council stopped the bridge closure plan and now services have returned after a long campaign by local residents and councillors.

The yellow buses run every 15 minutes weekdays until 8pm and every half hour on Saturdays and university holidays. The route is circular, returning via Widcombe.

“This is a victory for bus users, who value a service that meets their needs directly,” said Cllr David Martin. “I hope the service will prove useful for residents, who will now be able to make a choice between different operators providing slightly different service routes into and from the city centre.”