A CLEVEDON bus company has ceased trading amid a row with its competitor, First Bus.

Pier Buses was set up in March 2013, originally called the Bristol Greyhound, but just more than a year later has stopped operating.

It was set up by Shaun Craigie after the popular 800 Clevedon-town service was withdrawn and left many people without public transport near their homes.

The Pier Buses X7 reintroduced a bus service to areas of the town which had not been served for many years, giving them a direct link into the town centre and on to Bristol.

It also allowed passengers to get on and off where they wished, rather than having to stop at bus stops.

However, Mr Craigie says he has had to close the business after First Bus began running a service just minutes ahead of the X7, accusing the firm of unfairly taking passengers away.

He said: “Many times our buses would be following the First vehicles all the way into Bristol. I have photos to prove it.”

However, First Bus has branded his accusations as ‘nonsensical’.

A First West of England spokesman said: “We refute in the strongest possible terms the nonsensical allegations made by Pier Buses.

“To deliberately run a bus late would antagonise customers, attract undue negative attention from the traffic commissioner, and would have far reaching consequences on all other journeys.

“We always endeavour to run according to the timetable. Buses can, however, be delayed by a number of different factors en route to their destinations.

“We take claims such as those being made by Pier Buses very seriously and would add that all management are fully trained in competition law matters.

“Our drivers are trained to drive safely and to adhere to our timetables as closely as they are able to given variable traffic conditions.”