ECCLESTON’S 37 bus route is to be saved, after a public consultation.

Transport provider Arriva proposed scrapping the 37 bus service due to funding along with reducing others in the city region After hearing the news Eccleston District Councillors Teresa Sims, Geoff Pearl and Michael Haw joined and residents to ensure that the bus link was not withdrawn from service.

Following public consultation, in which hundreds of Eccleston residents objected to the proposals, it has been announced that the 37 bus service will be maintained due to funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

However it will now only be operating every 60 minutes from Monday to Saturday daytime instead of every 30 minutes.

It will also be extended to include Rainford.

In a joint statement, Councillors Sims, Pearl and Haw, said: “Thank you to everyone who responded to the public consultation. All of your representations were crucial in the decision to maintain this vital local bus service. Credit must also go to Simon and Lisa from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, who worked hard to secure the funding that ensures that the 37 bus continues to serve our area.

“The 37 is a safe and reliable bus service which provides people who rely on public transport with a vital lifeline that connects them with work, education, leisure, friends, family and much more. Without it, people would struggle to get to work, school, and college, with many becoming isolated.

“We must now all work together to ensure this vital service is well-used in the future to keep it maintained, especially given the challenges facing the commercial bus market following reduced patronage and withdrawal of revenue support”.

The changes will start from Sunday, September 4.

The full route and timetable details will be published shortly, including details of the bus service being extended to Rainford.

On the Liverpool City Region website it states: “The 37 St Helens – Eccleston: service will not be withdrawn. It will serve Eccleston every 60 minutes and then extend up to Rainford.

“Service 38 will operate every 60 minutes, meaning two buses per hour from Rainford into St Helens and a 30 minute service along Kiln Lane. Rainford Junction will have a 60 minute service. This is possible due to Combined Authority funding”

The 352 St Helens – Orrell/Wigan will also remain at every 15 minutes Monday-Friday daytimes and reduce to every 30 minutes on a Saturday (weekday frequency reduction was proposed)