A community is celebrating after convincing transport chiefs to lay on a replacement bus service to prevent elderly and disabled people from becoming stranded.

The First Bus 307 service from Huddersfield to Newsome has been diverted since Monday to allow work to be carried out on a gas mains on Primrose Hill Road and Stile Common Road.

The service now bypasses Cross Lane and Lockwood Scar until next month when it is expected the work will be complete.

This had left elderly and disabled residents ‘stranded’ as they were unable to walk up and down the steep Lockwood Scar.

But after a brief campaign from residents and Newsome councillors, Metro and Northern Gas Networks have agreed to part-fund a shuttle bus serving Cross Lane and Newsome Church.

Jean Goodison, of Lockwood Scar, said: “It’s a victory but that’s what you have to do to get things done.

“This will do the job and people will be ok as long as they know there’s something for them.”

Newsome councillor Andrew Cooper added: “We are really chuffed for the people there.

“A lot of people rely on it and the alternative was walking up and down the hill.

“A resolution has been reached and all credit to the people who have run the campaign.”

A spokesperson for Metro said: “We are delighted to confirm that following a meeting, a shuttle bus, part-funded by Northern Gas and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will start operating from July 30 to August 9.”

A spokesperson for First Bus said: “In such cases we work closely with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the local council to put in place suitable diversions that are safe and provide the least inconvenience as possible to our customers.

“We’re sorry some of our customers are affected by these works but we have put in place the safest and closest diversion possible for the vehicle resources we have available.

“We look forward to restoring the service at the earliest opportunity.”

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