CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after it was announced a bus route between Bromsgrove and Halesowen which was axed earlier this year will return next month.
The 202 was replaced by the 44 in June but the new service did not stop on the Old Birmingham Road and Leach Green Lane, where many people depended on it to get to work or school.
Labour councillor Peter McDonald campaigned for a solution and in July alterations were made to the 145 and 145A – extending it to serve Frankley, Waseley Road and Leach Green Lane, along with Rose Hill, Twatling Road and Lickey Square.
Since then Samuel Evans from the Bromsgrove Liberal Democrats launched a petition which gleaned 150 signatures, calling for the original 202 bus to be reinstated.
And now Diamond Bus has confirmed it will be back, covering its original route from November 29.
Sam Evans, who launched the petition, said: “We owe a huge thanks to local residents who expressed their opposition to loss of the service either by signing the petition, posting on social media, or contacting their councillors.
“It’s great to see that councillors from different political parties worked together to reverse this decision.”
Lib Dem Councillor for Lickey Hills Janet King added: “I would like to thank most sincerely everyone of the local residents who supported this successful campaign, which allows 202 bus users to travel to Bromsgrove town centre without needing to take a taxi to return and enables students at Waseley Hills High School to reach school.
“It is not easy to return a public service which has been discontinued so this is a real success and shows what local community action can achieve.”
Coun McDonald also praised the cross-party working and said everyone was over the moon with the decision.
