Bus scheme benefiting richest

A controversial birthday bus scheme is benefiting the richest people in the region significantly more than the poorest, councillors have heard.

The government gave the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and North Somerset Council £106 million for a bus service improvement plan (BSIP).

A scrutiny meeting, however, heard that the flagship birthday bus and Westlink schemes are not working as intended.

Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, said the government restricted where his authority spent the money.