Bad for our mental health

I LAY awake most of the night on Friday, wondering how I was going to get down to St James Priory at the back of the bus station for a memorial service. I only live in St Werburghs, but it is too far to walk.

I’m too old at 71 to jump on a Voi. I fell off my bike two years ago and am too scared to get back on, let alone ride in the dark, and our No 5 bus has been changed for a bus that only comes every hour, if it comes at all, so it not a viable option!

A taxi would cost about £15 each way and I don’t have anyone to drop me off and pick me up and I’m not infirm enough for a mobility scooter. So, as usual, I get into my car... sit in standstill traffic for 40 minutes and pay £11.50 to park in the NCP car park!

I’ve heard that parking fees are going to rise yet again! Come on Bristol... how can pensioners, and other people, get to our choirs, orchestras, clubs, the dentist, concerts, cinema, shopping, coffee with friends? It’s not good for the economy if we can’t get out and about. It’s not good for our mental or physical health to be housebound and therefore the NHS. We need good public transport.

Dee Jarlett

Bristol