New bus routes for the Black Country
New bus routes have launched for passengers in Old Hill and Cradley, including one which will restore part of a service controversially axed by transport bosses.
They will take passengers to Merry Hill shopping centre, Halesowen town centre and Blackheath.
One of the four new routes replaces part of the old 297 service in Cradley and Old Hill, travelling through Station Road and Barrs Road.
The 297 was stopped by National Express West Midlands earlier in the summer, sparking complaints from residents and councillors. A campaign has been launched to restore the full service, which ran through Old Hill, Cradley Heath and Quarry Bank to Russells Hall Hospital. Both National Express and Centro have been in talks with councillors about how to improve services.
A Centro spokesman said: "Following a review of some subsidised services in the area and discussions with residents, local councillors and bus operators, we will be introducing four new routes to improve punctuality and reliability for passengers and provide enhanced links to key locations."
