CAMPAIGNERS can claim victory in their battle to get a bus service for two villages.
Four district councillors had joined forces to try to persuade bus companies to reroute through Moulton Seas End and Saracen’s Head.
Couns Anthony Casson, Andrew Woolf, Rodney Grocock and Malcolm Chandler took their fight to Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum last weekend, where they hoped to persuade Norfolk Green to reroute two buses at day through the villages.
But the firm had indicated that due to “economic and commercial reasons” it was not possible, and it was bus company Brylaine who threw down a lifeline – offering to meet to discuss a way forward.
Yesterday, Coun Casson and Coun Chandler met Malcolm Wheatley, of Brylaine, who announced the firm intends to reintroduce the general bus service from Long Sutton to Boston next month.
From May 7, the service will run from Long Sutton through Holbeach, to Saracen’s Head, where it will stop outside the village hall, before heading to Moulton Seas End via Pipwell Gate and stop close to the Golden Lion.
It will then rejoin the A17 to Fosdyke and travel into Boston.
Coun Chandler said: “This is excellent news for the residents of the two villages.
“I would like to thank Brylaine on behalf of the residents. It is an excellent first step to providing a regular routine service.”
But Coun Casson warned villagers it was a case of “use it or lose it” as the new set-up would be monitored.
He said: “We are very pleased that Brylaine have taken this step forward which will be very helpful to our villagers.
“I am pleased also that further ongoing discussions will be taking place to see how effective the service will be and whether there is an opportunity to extend to a more regular service which might include Spalding.”
Brylaine’s offer involves its current G55 service which operates as the college bus.
Its new route will run from Monday to Friday during school term time.
Details of the timetable are available on the Brylaine website www.brylaine.co.uk, or by calling 01205 364087.