RESIDENTS of a north Durham community are celebrating after transport bosses agreed to changes in a bus route around their estate.

Following months of lobbying by campaigners, Go North-East has said it would run the 34A service in an anti-clockwise direction around the Urpeth Grange Estate at Ouston, near Chester-le-Street.

Urpeth Residents Association chairman and vice chairman of Urpeth Parish Council, Councillor Frank Wilkinson said: "We are over the moon about this change. It means people will no longer have to cross a busy road to catch the bus."

The 34A was introduced after the community lost the 733 service in a major shake-up of bus services about four years ago.

The 34A runs along St Benets Way, before turning right in Urpeth Lane, right into Station Lane and returning through Ouston on Greenford Lane. Coun Wilkinson said: "It means people had to cross a busy road to get to the bus stop. "The obvious thing, we felt, was to run it in an anti-clockwise way so the bus stopped on the same side as the houses."

He added, residents continued to campaign to have buses come back through the estate, but this was a "step in the right direction".

Go North-East commercial director Martin Harris said: "We have decided to route the 34A in an anti-clockwise instead of clockwise direction, which I think the residents were looking forward to.

"This will also provide improved links across Chester-le-Street, because the service will continue and link up with local services in the Waldridge Park area.

"There will be me further news on exactly what we will be doing in the area very shortly."

The re-routed service will continue at the present frequency of every 15 minutes and will take effect from October October 30.

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