It is feared the Bearpit's iconic double-decker bus could soon be chopped up by Bristol City Council.
Claims that the authority plans to cut up the bus, formerly known as Bearritos, have surfaced on social media.
A man who uses the Twitter handle object_000 wrote: "Hey mshedbristol , the people in the Bearpit have been told BristolCouncil intend to cut up the bus down there to remove it!
"It's the last model of bus built in Bristol, AND a fully fitted out kitchen! Can't you guys find a use for it, rather than it go to waste?"
Ambitious plans to re-brand the underpass and transform it into a “food innovation hub” were proposed by Bearpit Bristol CIC last year.
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As part of the makeover, the council wants to remove all of the current attractions in the submerged area, which has built-up a reputation as a place for anti-social behaviour.
The site's famous bear, which has become synonymous with Bristol itself, will be taken away as part of the work - despite a petition to save it signed by more than 4,000 people.
The council is currently in talks with The Circle Project Bristol over downsized plans for a ‘food innovation hub’ with 15 food outlets in shipping containers and three wellbeing units.
The project would also see the authority ‘take back control’ of the Bearpit area from the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft, the community arts organisation which put the bear there five years ago.
And the much-loved green looks like it could also become a victim to the clearout.
The vehicle is the last model built by Bristol Omnibus Company, which used to be the city's main operator and is the oldest coach company in the UK.
Bristol Live has contacted the council for a comment but is still waiting for a reply.
