Two weeks of further bus strikes announced in city

There will be severe disruption to Citylines services in Bristol

Bus drivers in Bristol have announced two more weeks of strikes after talks broke down in an ongoing row over pay.

First Bus drivers are partway through a four-day strike which ends on Friday, with about 600 drivers taking part in the industrial action.

The drivers have now voted to take further strike action from 1-14 October after talks broke down between First West of England and Unite.

First said it wanted to "find a solution" to the "unnecessary" strikes, while Unite has accused the firm of "putting profits over people".

Unite said its members were spending half of their wages on rent and had not been able to save money at the same time First had made an operating profit of £204.3m.

"First Bus is a very profitable firm, but its hard-working workers are struggling to pay the bills," said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

The union said First had refused to negotiate with Unite and had rejected support from the conciliation service Acas.

Ms Graham added: "The situation is deplorable and it is little wonder they have voted to take further industrial action."

Hundreds of First Bus drivers in Bristol have been on strike since Tuesday

This week's strikes, which began on Tuesday, have caused widespread disruption in the city with many services not running.

Unite warned the length of the second wave of strikes, which will once again see 600 drivers walk out, means it is likely to cause severe disruption, including cancellations and delays.

First West of England managing director Doug Claringbold said: "These [strikes] are unnecessary and, most importantly, hugely disruptive to our customers, and it is within the hands of the union to stop this action.

"We have always maintained an open dialogue with the union and while they continue to reject our full and final offer, which has been accepted by other areas in our region, we still hope to find a solution to encourage the union to call off their strikes.

"I was pleased that during the first day of strikes this week we kept about 60% of services within, and serving, Bristol running."