Buses are being diverted away from an area in South Bristol following a second attempt to vandalise one of the vehicles. Bus company Air Decker has said that an urgent service diversion is in place for the foreseeable future to keep passengers, drivers and vehicles away from harm.
The diversion comes after an item - initially reported to be a brick, but since been confirmed to be a lump of wood - was thrown through the window of one of the buses as it travelled along Anton Bantock Way in Bishopsworth on Monday evening (July 25). Services along the area were temporarily diverted for the rest of Monday (July 25) and now, after talks with management, the company has put these diversions in place for longer.
A spokesperson for Air Decker told BristolLive: "One of our A4 Air Decker vehicles was subject to an act of vandalism later on Monday night. The incident occurred at approximately 17:15 on Anton Bantock Way shortly after departing from the Hareclive Road bus stop.
Read more: Brick thrown at bus in South Bristol as incident sees buses diverted
"A lower deck window (offside of the vehicle) was smashed by what was initially reported to be a brick, but has since been confirmed as a lump of wood. This was thrown at the vehicle within extremely close proximity.
"We did have passengers on board the bus at the time, but fortunately, nobody was injured. We have since received a report from another driver that a second attempt to vandalise a vehicle in the area was made by youths at approximately 19:45 (on Monday).
"As a result of the above, and discussions at management level this afternoon, we have taken the decision to divert all buses away from this area from 16:00hrs until the end of service each day. This will be in place until further notice.
"This is in the interest of safety for our passengers and our driving team. Details on the diversion route can be found at Urgent Service Diversion- 26th July 2022 onwards - Bath Bus Company (airdecker.com) We are working in conjunction with Avon and Somerset police to resolve this situation.
"As the attack happened during rush hour, there were many stationary vehicles sat in traffic heading in the opposite direction, along with the area itself being generally busy. We would like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this to report this to the police directly to help them with their investigation. They can call 101 and quote reference number 5222177562."
According to the update on Air Decker's official website, the diversion is as follows:
"Bath to Airport- At Hartcliffe roundabout, we will divert and travel along Hartcliffe Way, bearing on to Bedminster Road, then onto Bridgewater Road, A38. We will travel along the A38 until the junction of Kings Head Lane, continuing straight at the roundabout where we will resume the normal route to the airport
"Airport to Bath – We will travel along the A38 , travelling straight across at Lime Kiln roundabout. We will continue along the A38, Bedminster Road onto the one-way system at Parson Street before bearing right onto Hartcliffe Way to Hartcliffe roundabout where we will resume the normal route to Bath.
"PLEASE NOTE: Normal service/ route will be in place every day from 03:00hrs. The diversion route will come into place from 16:00hrs ( 16:00 service from Bath to Bristol Airport and the 16:30 from Bristol Airport to Bath) and remain in place for the remainder of the day’s service. This will be in place daily until further notice. All stops along the diversion route will be served."
Avon and Somerset Police has previously said in a statement: "We were called on Monday 25 July after a bus was damaged in Bishopsworth. An unknown person threw an object, reported to have been a brick, through the window of the vehicle in Anton Bantock Way at about 5.20pm.
"We are not aware of there being any injuries. CCTV enquiries will be undertaken to try to identify the person responsible. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call 101 and give reference number 5222177562.”
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