TRANSPORT chiefs have stepped in to ensure residents of a Bradford housing estate will have a bus service when road works start tomorrow.

Ranelagh Avenue in Ravenscliffe will be closed for about eight weeks by the works being carried out by Keepmoat Housing leaving the regular 645 service, operated by First, unable to run through the estate.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has now agreed to fund a free half-hourly shuttle service after concerns were raised about the situation.

A spokesman said: “We were made aware of concerns by residents and councillors, and delighted that we have been able to step in to ensure residents who would have difficulty in walking to Harrogate Road are able to access their usual services.”

The shuttle service will run between 9.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Saturday to allow on-going connections.

It will operate from 9.30am from Ravenscliffe Avenue (outbound bus stop number 450 18103) via Ravenscliffe Avenue, Damon Avenue, Roundwood Avenue, Holly Well Drive, Ranelagh Avenue, Roundwood Glen, Rimswell Holt, Redcar Road, New Line, Redcar Road.

And from 9.45am from Redcar Road (outbound bus stop number 450 18187) via Rimswell Holt, Roundwood Glen, Ranelagh Avenue, Holly Well Drive, Roundwood Avenue, Damon Avenue, Ravenscliffe Avenue, Harrogate Road, Ravenscliffe Avenue.

Councillor Nicola Pollard (Lib Dem, Eccleshill), who had protested against the route changes along with fellow ward councillors, said: "We are really pleased a compromise has been found.

"There had to be a better solution than leaving the whole estate without buses for two months, and this is a really good outcome for the residents."