New bus service to start after campaign

A new bus service will be launched in the Black County next month after calls from campaigners.

The new 30 service will run hourly between Cheapside in Willenhall and Bilston bus station four days a week from September 24.

Buses will serve the Herberts Park Estate in Darlaston where people claimed a service was desperately needed earlier this year. Pensioners, at the time, said they had been left housebound because of the lack of a bus service and pleaded with transport bosses to take action.

The estate used to be served by the 339 service which was dropped following a review.

Darlaston South councillor Paul Bott, who was involved in the campaign to get the service, said: "We are pleased with the news.

"A lot of elderly people desperately need this service. They can't walk to the bus stops in Wolverhampton Street."

Fellow Darlaston South councillor Doug James, who also threw his weight behind the campaign, said people were delighted with the announcement.

The service will be operated by Walsall Community Transport and buses will also pass Moxley High Street and the markets in Willenhall and Bilston.

Walsall Community Transport chief officer John Elliot said: "This particular service will get into some estates that are not currently served. There was a big call for this. We are delighted to be involved in delivering this service."

The service is being funded on a year-long trial basis by transport authority Centro and will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during off peak shopping hours. It is thought buses will run between 9.30am and 2pm.

Babs Coombes, Centro's area manager for the Black Country, said passenger numbers would be monitored and reviewed.

She added: "It will run on a 12-month trial basis so we would encourage as many people as possible to use the new service as passenger numbers will be a key factor in determining whether the service can continue."