VILLAGERS are calling for the restoration of two bus service routes.

Transport company Arriva's amendments to bus services 60 and 65 on the approach to Durham confused many passengers heading for destinations prior to the city centre.

Service 60, beginning at Sherburn Hill, and 65, from Easington Lane, both call at High and Low Pittington, bound for Durham.

Traditionally, both services approached the city centre from Belmont, via Sunderland Road, taking in six stops in Gilesgate Moor and Gilesgate.

However, to speed up running times, they recently began to head from Belmont straight on to the A690 dual carriageway for a quicker approach to Durham, missing out all six Sunderland Road bus stops.

Public transport users in the Pittingtons complained to their parish council, which serves both neighbouring villages.

Seventy-six people, angry at the alterations, drew up a petition, which they presented to the Sunderland company, already beset by controversy over its train services.

Arriva officials were invited to a meeting called by Pittington Parish Council.

Parish councillor Ray Portsmouth, who took up the cause on behalf of villagers, said the sudden switch annoyed many local people who use supermarkets or visit relatives in Gilesgate.

"We called on them to at least put one of the services back to the old route until the next review of the services, as a compromise.

"For a lot of local people these services are the only means of getting straight to the Gilesgate area, where there are a number of shops and supermarkets.

"They now have to catch another bus, costing a pensioner up to an extra £1.33 on a return journey."

Steve Noble, Arriva North East managing director, said the routes were altered to improve reliability across the company's network.

Following the outcry, he has pledged to "examine ways in which we can resolve these customers' issues".

Mr Noble said: "I cannot prejudge the results of this review, but can assure the residents of Pittington that I will respond directly to their parish council with the outcome of our deliberations."