THERE is good news on the horizon for Bolton bus users — with a cut-back service set to be extended.

Campaigners, residents and councillors from Astley Bridge came out in force earlier this year after Arriva announced it would no longer run the 535 and 537 services.

The services were taken up by UK Coachways, but residents argued that the “skeleton timetable" was still not enough.

Now Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has drawn up plans for an increased service on the routes, after head of services Nick Roberts heard how residents had been affected by the changes at a recent Astley Bridge area forum.

The proposed changes will mean that rather than the limited service of three buses a day on each route, the 535 service from Bolton town centre to Belmont could be doubled — and the 537 route to Astley Bridge could see eight or nine buses run each day.

Campaigner Warren Fox, secretary of the Bolton Bus Users Forum, said: “This is all in the best interests of Bolton and while it is nothing near the original services — it is a vast improvement on the three buses a day that are currently running, which has been a nightmare for people.

“We would like to thank Transport for Greater Manchester for engaging with residents. The support for our campaign has been overwhelming, and demonstrated to TfGM that these services are a lifeline for some bus users.”

As part of the campaign, Astley Bridge councillors organised a protest involving scores of local residents.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough said the proposed changes were thanks to the efforts of local people.

She said: “We responded to a lot of people bringing the issue to our attention.

“There is no doubt that the reaction of local people has helped and I think we need to thank Transport for Greater Manchester for listening and working with us.”

At its next meeting on October 9, members of the TfGM Committee’s Bus Network and TfGM Services Sub Committee will be asked to approve plans for the increased service on these routes.

If approved, the changes will come into effect on Monday October 26.

A spokesman for TFGM said: “We have listened to local residents’ concerns and, in response we are seeking affordable improvements to meet the suggested demand to travel on these bus services.”

Residents are being urged to send their views on the proposals to areaworking@bolton.gov.uk by Friday October 2.