Residents are celebrating after it was agreed that a Shropshire bus service which had been cancelled would be reinstated.

Passengers had earlier spoken out following the loss of the number seven bus, which linked Coton Hill to Shrewsbury, when the route was removed in September by bus company Arriva following a service review.

Those affected met again last week to talk to transport bosses from Shropshire Council.

They confirmed a replacement service would start to operate from today.

Passengers said that the bus cancellation had meant they could no longer get into town from the Coton Hill area of Shrewsbury without crossing busy roads or climbing steep hills.

The meeting in the Woodman Pub, Coton Hill, was also attended by Andrew Goldsmith, assistant director for public protection, Martin Withington, head of transport, and Councillor Maxwell Winchester, Shropshire Council member for Coton Hill and Quarry Ward.

Sharon Thomas, who attended the meeting, said she had decided to get involved to help elderly people who had been left stranded by the loss of the service.

She said: “The council officers prior to Wednesday’s meeting acted extremely swiftly to find a solution.

“Discussions regarding the route on the estate led to an agreement from all present. This bus will not go to the bus station and a flyer is being produced showing the timetable and marked bus stops along the route.

“This service will allow for bus passes to be used and the return ticket cost will be £3, £1.50 single, running from Monday to Saturday.

“This is a short-term solution due to lack of time for more detailed research.”

Jon Hayes, Shropshire Council’s team leader for public transport, said: “A bus service to serve the Coton Hill area in Shrewsbury will be in place from Monday.

“This service, which will be operated by the council’s fleet, will start at 9.30am from Berwick Avenue and provide a half hourly service into the town. The last bus from The Square will leave at 4.15pm.”

By Emma Kasprzak