A hodgepodge of bus routes are to be diverted to mean Longsands has a bus link to the city once more.

The area between Fulwood and Ribbleton was left cut off from the city when Preston Bus announced it was withdrawing part of the Number 14 route from September this year.

Lancashire County Council has announced the creation of a Number 15 route by diverting a number of existing services, which they subsidise.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of the service, which Preston Bus said was seeing its route changed due to declining passenger numbers.

Cabinet member for highways and transport county councillor Keith Iddon said: “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to restore a bus service for the Longsands area, as we have been keenly aware of the impact on residents when Preston Bus withdrew their number 14 service.

“The new number 15 service has been achieved by making some changes to the county council’s existing services in the area, crucially at no extra cost.

“I hope people will understand that it has taken some weeks to get to this point because officers have been working hard to monitor passenger numbers on services in the area, and look at where the timing and routing of services could be tweaked to restore a service to Longsands.

“This is not something which could have been done immediately, and shows our determination to provide a solution to a problem which was due to a commercial decision outside of the county council’s control.

“The new service for Longsands will begin in February as we can’t change the existing services immediately, and I’m sorry that Preston Bus didn’t take up our offer to fund the number 14 service 50:50 which would have allowed it to continue with no gap in service for passengers.”

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Which buses see changes?

Frenchwood will be served by diverting the 112 service between Preston and Leyland through the area, allowing the existing 29 service linking Preston and city centre and Frenchwood to be withdrawn.

There will also be changes to the 75 service from Preston to Fleetwood via Kirkham, Poulton and Cleveleys, and the 114 service from Preston to Chorley via Penwortham, Leyland and Clayton Brook.

The Number 15 will start operating from Monday 18 February.

It follows a public meeting on Monday (3 December) with county councillors discussing proposals with residents in the Longsands area.

A spokesman for Preston Bus said: “We are delighted that a satisfactory solution has been identified.”

Who will run it?

A county council spokesman confirmed no bus company has been chosen to operate the route yet, it is out to tender.

What’s the route?

The description for the route is:
Preston Bus Station via Tithebarn Street
Lord Street
Lancaster Road
Church Street
Ribbleton Lane
Deepdale Road
Watling Street Road
Eastway
Longsands
Andertons Way
Longsands Lane
Eastway
Watling Street Road
Deepdale Road
Ribbleton Lane
Stanley Street
Percy Street
Lords Walk
Preston Bus Station

There will be one bus an hour from 6.05am through to 7.12pm on weekdays and from 7.26am to 7.12pm on Saturdays. There will be no Sunday service.

Do you live in the area? What do you think of the 15? Let us know your views in the comments below