A CAMPAIGN has been launched that calls for bus services to be reinstated to several communities.

Residents have been expressing anger after some routes were axed or reduced last autumn following the regional bus network review.

Less frequent buses to and from the town centre, a limited service to St Helens Cemetery and a lack of connectivity to hospitals are among the complaints.

In Eccleston, a petition led by Liberal Democrat councillors Michael Haw, Teresa Sims and Geoff Pearl has received more than 800 signatures. The councillors plan to present it to Merseytravel with a request for for services to be reinstated.

Their frustrations include the withdrawal of a service to Whiston Hospital, while the only direct route to St Helens covers a small part of Eccleston.

Meanwhile, Windle Councillor Gill Neal says she has had elderly residents voice concerns over reduced services to the cemetery, off Rainford Road.

“We lobbied Merseytravel and they have put a two-hourly circular bus service in but, at the end of the day, if you’re coming from the town centre to get to the cemetery, you don’t want to spend two hours in the cemetery before you come back again,” she said.

A Merseytravel spokesperson said: “We appreciate that there may be issues that arise and thank the public for bringing any to our attention. We are currently in the process of a post-implementation review that will analyse all matters raised and explore options of potential solutions and assess viability.”

To view the Eccleston petition, see: ecclestonfocusteam.co.uk/petitions/bus-campaign/

Residents can also email Cllr Michael Haw on cllrmhaw@sthelens.gov.uk.