There’s a cycle path from Bath to Bristol, loved by many in this area. It’s great for commuters, it’s great for families on a Sunday afternoon’s outing, and it’s great for anyone wanting some fresh air by bike or on foot.

Now some foon wants to build a bus route on it.

The stupidity of this idea boggles the mind. Here’s why: buses in this area are very expensive. So expensive that they’ve ceased to be a useful form of transport for anyone who isn’t a pensioner or a child. Let’s imagine that this bus route is constructed, and that the resulting bus services are then handed over to the public sector (which they would be, of course - can’t see Bristol City Council running them, can you?). Let’s try and guess how much a return fare would be?

I’m not anti-public transport - generally speaking I’m very much in favour of it, and despite the expense of taking the bus I still use it frequently because I think it’s the right thing to do.

But I am anti-needless waste, and that’s what this idea would be. It would cost a fortune, would have to charge a fortune to recoup the costs, and would destroy a wonderful cycle path in the process. I’d much rather see the millions earmarked for this project invested in better, cheaper, more frequent buses. Somehow, though, I don’t think that’s going to happen.

There’s an online petition here. Go sign it.