Bus chiefs have bowed to people power and restored a link between two estates in north Bradford.

The neighbouring estates of Ravenscliffe and Thorpe Edge are only five minutes apart by bus, but the long-standing route was axed in a major shake-up of First Bradford's services in July.

Locals were incensed when their 608/609 circular bus service was stopped with no consultation.

It was one of many changes introduced by First Bradford when it brought in its new Overground timetables.

But it left people in Ravenscliffe and Thorpe Edge having to change buses to travel between the two estates, in order to go to school or work, visit friends and family or attend GP appointments.

About 5,500 people signed a protest petition saying they felt stranded.

Protests and lobbying have continued ever since, involving local councillors and Bradford North Labour MP Terry Rooney.

Now, First Bradford has agreed to re-introduce direct buses between Thorpe Edge and Ravenscliffe from January 15.

The new-look 642 service will operate hourly from 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday, although it will not run at weekends. "It's taken four months and I am glad they have listened at last," said Mr Rooney, who has had a series of meetings with the bus company's operations director, Khadim Hussain, and its managing director, Andy Campbell.

Mr Rooney continued: "We are very grateful. It's great news for people on Ravenscliffe and Thorpe Edge. There are so many links between families on both estates. People also use this service to get to Morrisons at Five Lane Ends, to school or the doctor.

"This route was decades old, it had been there for nearly 50 years. It was part of people's lives, something they were used to. Getting rid of it with no consultation was ridiculous."

Councillor Ann Ozolins (Lib Dem, Idle) said: "This is really good news for the people of Idle and the people of Thorpe Edge who have worked very hard. This is a people's victory - not a politicians' victory."

Khadim Hussain, of First Bradford, said: "Some of our route changes did not go down as well as we expected, and concerns were expressed. As a result we have reviewed our provision, and we are re-routing this particular service."

l Leaflets on the new 642 service are available by ringing (01274) 734833.

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