PASSENGERS on Redcar and Cleveland's best used bus route are to have their say on a £500,000 spending plan for its 60 bus stops.

Details of the council's scheme for Arriva's No 63 service, which runs from Redcar bus station to Marton railway station, are available at three libraries along the route - Redcar central, Roseberry Square and Ormesby - along with comment forms.

Improvement work is due to start in January and be completed by March. This includes installing 35 new shelters and 46 low kerbs.

Staff will monitor the route, which carries 2m passengers a year, before and after the improvements as part of the council's strategy to encourage people to cut down on the use of private cars.

Cabinet member for strategic planning, development and infrastructure, Coun Eric Empson, said: "If we are going to succeed in getting people to leave their cars at home more, we must provide them with comfortable and safe surroundings.

"Add a reliable service that arrives and leaves on time and we've got the basis to see if we can successfully promote a viable travel option."

Arriva's business development manager, Tony Batty, welcomed the additional facilities.

He said: "We've got to work on the whole journey experience, from walking to the bus stop and waiting in comfort to getting a reliable service."

The borough's second busiest route, Arriva's No 65 service, is earmarked for a similar upgrade next year.