A NEW bus service which caused outrage among residents will be changed.

The 518 and 517 Diamond bus services were replaced by the 577 and taken over by UK Coachways, as of October 31.

However the service did not include Middlebrook Retail Park in its route and went only from Horwich to Bolton.

Residents could still get to Middlebrook on a Saturday subsidised 518 service, but the 517 route was changed to only travel from Leigh to Middlebrook.

Residents and councillors lobbied Transport for Greater Manchester about the decision and it has now been revealed that a new route, to incorporate Blackrod and Middlebrook, will be launched in December by UK Coachways.

A source at the firm said: “The change was planned, but it took quite a while to get it approved.

“It will be a different route altogether.

“The timetable for it is still a draft at the moment but there will be four journeys from Blackrod and four journeys from Bolton.”

The new double decker service will be launched on December 12 and will travel from Blackrod to Horwich to Middlebrook, Ladybridge and Bolton.

Town council leader Joyce Kellet said the news is “fantastic”.

She added: “It is absolutely superb news, it really is. It shows the power of the people and the need for this service. There are still a lot of people without cars that need this service and I thank the bus company for giving people this service back.

“Town councillor Kath Schofield has been great and never let this go as has the Brazley Residents Association.It’s a great success for all.”

Town councillor Kath Schofield said: “It is excellent news. It is all we wanted.

“We have the 518 on Saturdays which takes you to Middlebrook, but we didn’t have the weekly service. It is a double decker bus which is not ideal, but it is a bus.

“It is great news.”