'Lifeline' bus service to continue during gas work

A shopping centre bus service which was to be withdrawn during planned gas works, will be able to operate after a solution was found.

Bus operator Stagecoach had said its Number 3 service would not stop at the Bretton Centre in Peterborough between 1 September and 25 October while Cadent Gas carried out pipe replacement work.

Paul Bristow, the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said a solution had now been found, following concern by residents.

He said: "Cadent have offered to put a gate person at either end of the road closure, to help to clear the road where needed to allow the buses to still operate."

The closure of the Bretton stop would have left many with a significant walk to the nearest stops.

Labour councillor for Bretton, Richard Stangward, previously said the bus route was a lifeline for a lot of residents, especially pensioners, who were concerned about the impact of the closure.

Speaking to the BBC before the solution was anounced, Ann Howard, 73, said she feared she would be unable to get her shopping for the entire closure.

"We can't carry it back home or to the nearest [other] bus stop," she said.

"It's absolutely ludicrous. Yes, you could have a taxi, but it costs money."

Stangward admitted the solution would cause delays but would mean the buses could run. He added: "We will keep pressure up for further improvements and to get buses coming in and out of the centre."

Cadent said the work, which is taking place around Flaxland, will see ageing metal pipes replaced with plastic ones, providing a more reliable and sustainable gas network.

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