NEW bus stops have been added to the First Bus service operating through Winsley after pressure from residents.

The 265 service – which had previously operated two routes through the village – was reduced to one at the start of the week to save on revenue, angering residents who relied on the Cottles Lane stop.

Betty Parr, who has lived on Bradford Road for 30 years, said: “At the east end of the village if you don’t have any other form of transport it is very difficult to get anywhere. We thought we must do something about this, as up to 90 houses are affected.

“We spoke out and the managing director of First Bus in Bristol, James Freeman, actually came out to look for himself and realised we couldn’t possibly be left without any stops on this side of the village.

“He put it as a top priority and we had new bus stops installed last Sunday – I can’t speak highly enough of how he reacted.”

An additional three stops have been added along the B3108 and two other stops have been moved into more suitable locations.

Every half-hourly service will use the Tyning Road stops as well as the stop in the centre of the village by the health centre and shops.

James Freeman, managing director of First Bus in the west, said: “I was aware there was a lot of concern about the way the bus service was going to be changed and I wanted to experience what it would be like, so the best thing was to go and have a look.

“We could see what the right answers were going to be and so it was possible to move quickly and put the stops in the right places.

“I hope these changes will work and what we always say is if something happens we will watch and listen to see what people say and what their responses are as we are very keen to support Winsley.”

Ms Parr added: “It’s not as good as it used to be but we’re not grumbling as I can understand why they have done it, but at least they made changes for us.”