DELIGHTED Burton bus users have been assured their new service will not be cut after three months as councillors continue to look at ways to make the current interim arrangement more permanent.

Thanks to new timetables and schedules thrashed out by Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset County Council and Transdev Yellow Buses, the new 21 service is already up and running around the former Wilts and Dorset X12 route in Burton.

While the interim service is a three-month arrangement that has been organised with Yellow Buses and Shamrock, who have taken over the C1 and C2 routes in Christchurch, Christchurch council was keen to reiterate that there will always be a bus service in Burton.

During the next three months, the council partnership says it will be looking for a more permanent solution to the problem.

The new Burton route will now stop at Christchurch hospital and Bournemouth hospital en route to Bournemouth Square.

Local residents gathered on the village green this week to welcome their new bus after Wilts and Dorset cut the route due to the current economic climate.

Villager Jan Steer said: “We’re delighted to be getting this new service but it’s vital people vote with their feet and use it.

“The more people use the bus, the greater the chance it will be saved for the long-term.”

Burton ward councillor Colin Jamieson said: “We are pleased that Yellow Buses are coming through Burton and look forward to a very long and fruitful relationship with them.

“Over the next three months we will be looking to see what improvements can be made to meet the needs of Burton and the wider area.”

Marc West, Transdev Yellow Buses’ planning and schedules manager, added: “The level of interest shown is very encouraging and we hope it is reflected in the number of people using the new service.”