New bus service to launch in 'isolated' village

An "isolated" village is to be linked to a town with a new bus service starting next week.

A similar service from Port Clarence in Stockton was trialled last year, but axed after only three months of operation by operator Stagecoach who said it brought in just £12.58 against running costs in excess of £80 a day.

Residents and Stockton councillors have continued campaigning for a direct route to Billingham to avoid the need for long and complicated alternative journeys.

The new service, funded through the Tees Valley Combined Authority, will also serve North Tees Hospital.

Labour councillor Katie Zagoria said: "This new hourly service will be genuinely life-changing for many people."

Her fellow councillor Paul Weston said the service would provide "reliant, affordable public transport" to Port Clarence, which "often felt forgotten when transport decisions were made".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the pair paid tribute to locals who had repeatedly highlighted the challenges they faced due to poor transport links.

Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "I know getting a bus in and out of The Clarences has been a big issue for a long time."

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