A local councillor has welcomed news that a bus service in Harrogate has not only been saved from the axe but is set to grow.
County Councillor Richard Cooper, who represents the Granby area on the County Council, had earlier collected a petition from hundreds of residents calling for the service to be retained.
The Wedderburn Road to town bus service via the hospital was under threat following the withdrawal of the bus subsidy by the County Council. But following changes to schedules local bus company Connexions will not only keep the route but expand the service from three times a day to seven times a day.
The news service is set to begin in about 8 weeks time and will run at 5 past the hour from Wedderburn Road from 10.05am to 4.05pm returning from Harrogate bus station at 5 to the hour.
County Councillor Cooper commented: I know that Connexions have worked hard to keep and expand the service. The Managing Director had a very constructive meeting with our MP Andrew Jones where he outlined the new services for residents.
The bus service is more that just a convenience for many people. It stops at the hospital and Mowbray Square Medical Centre where there are four GP practices before it reaches town. It is a lifeline for many and I would like to thank Connexions for pulling out all the stops to keep and expand the service.
Main photograph: Councillor Richard Cooper accepting a petition from local residents at the bus stop on Wedderburn Road.
About time it runs all them times as it will be handy for people on the estate I’m so happy and people. As there is a lot of old people down on the estate including disabled people that needs that bus route. So I’m very happy it’s staying