A WEEKEND bus service has been saved after a councillor promised to help subsidise the route.

Councillor Andy Stafford, who represents Claines on Worcestershire County Council, said he stepped in to help reinstate the weekend 37 bus service which runs between Northwick and Worcester after it was scrapped by First Bus last month as it was no longer making money and was underused.

The weekend service is set to start again on November 23.

Cllr Stafford has said he will use his county councillor divisional fund - which is handed out to councillors to help pay for local initiatives and support ‘good works.’

He said: “The 37 bus service is a lifeline for residents in Claines, with many dependent upon it.

“It is essential that we have a comprehensive bus services so that vulnerable residents do not become socially isolated.

“If we are to tackle climate change we must also give people viable alternative to using their cars.

“I’m particularly pleased that the service will be up and running again in time for the Victorian Christmas Fayre, as well as the busy shopping period in the lead up to Christmas."

Cllr Mel Allcott, who represents Claines on Worcester City Council and had campaigned for the 37 bus service to be reinstated, said it was “unacceptable” and a “disgrace” for the bus service to be cut at weekends and put at risk on weekdays – especially as First Bus revealed it was only losing £75 on a Saturday for running the service.

Cllr Allcott handed a 1,000-strong petition to bosses at County Hall on Thursday (November 7) and called on the county council to use some of the half a million pounds it had received from housing developer Belway when it put forward plans to build 200 homes on the edge of Worcester in 2014.

Councillor Stafford added: “Thank you to everyone that showed their support for the service by signing our petition. I encourage everyone to continue to show their support for the service by using it, and I will be working on initiatives to increase usage.”