Residents in a York suburb have lost a bus service because First’s new electric single-decker buses are too tall to go under a bridge, a councillor said.

Kallum Taylor, Holgate ward councillor, said the “farcical” situation means residents in the Leeman Road area have “been overlooked” as the buses cannot fit under the railway bridge at Kingsland Terrace.

A First York spokesperson accepted that its route changes, implemented in response to the issue, have impacted residents.

Before July, Cllr Taylor explained, residents in the Leeman Road area were served by the number 10 bus route.

First York number 10 buses in Boroughbridge Road which are too tall to go under the railway bridge at Kingsland TerraceFirst York number 10 buses in Boroughbridge Road which are too tall to go under the railway bridge at Kingsland Terrace (Image: Newsquest)

This provided transport from morning to night, Monday to Sunday – covering all stops between Poppleton, Boroughbridge Road, the Leeman Road area, York city centre, Hull Road, Dunnington and Stamford Bridge. 

These stops were valuable for residents, Cllr Taylor said, as they helped them to access shops and services in Boroughbride Road, as well as Manor School and shops in Foss Islands Road, Hull Road, and the University of York.

But, because of the new single-decker buses being implemented on the route, the number 10 service has now been altered to bypass the railway bridge at Kingsland Terrace.

The railway bridge at Kingsland Terrace, which First York's new single-decker electric buses are too tall to go underThe railway bridge at Kingsland Terrace, which First York's new single-decker electric buses are too tall to go under (Image: Newsquest)

Instead, the route – travelling from Poppleton – goes from Boroughbridge Road to Holgate Road, rather than crossing along Water End and into Salisbury Road where it goes under the bridge.

Leeman Road residents only have access to the original route after 7.30pm and not on Sundays, via First’s new 10L service.

In response, Cllr Taylor said, City of York Council added stops in the Leeman Road area to its number 59 Park and Ride service

This, however, does mean that the service – designed to be a fast alternative for commuters and tourists getting into the city centre without stopping from Poppleton – takes longer.

'Worrying pattern of reduction' for bus routes in area, says councillor

Cllr Taylor said: "It’s farcical that Leeman Road has lost another bus service, not due to financial pressure, but because the single-deckers of First’s new electric buses are too big to fit under a bridge.

“Combined with previous losses and the closure of Leeman Road – which will prevent buses from serving St Peters Quarter – there is a worrying pattern of reduction, with still no assurance that the entire area won’t be bypassed when the new bridge off Water End opens.

Kallum Taylor, Holgate ward councillorKallum Taylor, Holgate ward councillor (Image: Newsquest)

“Cleaner buses are great, but it seems like, in the excitement this has caused those involved, this community has again been overlooked. It’s nowhere near good enough.

"We need to see less photo-ops outside buses, and more work to give confidence that they are not being left behind.”

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A First York spokesperson said: “The changes we introduced in June included a re-route and extension of the 59 service and a new 10L to mitigate alteration to the 10 service in this area.

"This has brought more trips into the city centre but we accept that connectivity to Boroughbridge Road has been impacted as the 59 is a limited stop service.

“We are discussing options to resolve the 59 stopping situation with the transport team at City of York Council and expect to provide an update in the coming weeks.”