RESIDENTS in a part of east Hull have today welcomed a new bus service.
People living in Hathersage Road and Lambwath Road launched a campaign after the No 53 Stagecoach service was scrapped after the council withdrew its subsidy.
The route, which was subsidised by Hull City Council at a cost of more than £20,000 a year, was withdrawn at the end of August.
Anne Gradwell organised a petition calling on the Guildhall to reinstate the bus route.
She said: "It's been a nightmare for residents living here since they stopped running a bus down Lambwath Road.
"There are about 800 people who live in the area and many of them use public transport.
"Older people, some of whom are in their eighties and disabled, have had real trouble getting to any of the other bus services in the area.
"It's also made life difficult for working people who use the bus to get to and from the city centre."
In response to concerns from residents, the council worked with EYMS to reroute one of its services along Lambwath Road.
The revised timetable for the No 50 bus will operate from March 9 and now takes in Lambwath Road, Sutton Road and Gillshill Road.
A council spokesman said: "Following the receipt of a petition from residents of Hathersage Road and Lambwath Road and a meeting with ward members and residents regarding the removal of service 53, it was agreed to reroute the subsidised service 50 to include Lambwath Road.
"The revised timetable enables service 50 to operate via Lambwath Road, Sutton Road and Gillshill Road in each direction and will start to operate from March 9.
"We hope this will improve the service for residents in the area."
Mrs Gradwell said: "We are thrilled that at least something is being done to provide better public transport to residents in the area.
"It will make a big difference to us."
Holderness ward councillors Chris Sumpton and Jackie Dad also welcomed the news.
Cllr Dad said: "I am glad this petition from residents has been a success, but it has been a very long time coming.
"Over 500 people signed a petition calling for the 53 bus route to be reinstated and although this is not what has happened, it's still good news for the people who live here."
Cllr Sumpton warned that residents could be affected by further changes to bus routes in east Hull.
He said: "I am very pleased residents will now have access to a bus route in their street – it's not an ideal solution but it's the best that could be achieved under the circumstances.
"Cuts from central government mean there is less money to subsidise bus services across Hull and the reality is it's possible that further financial support will be withdrawn in the future."
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