TIMPERLEY residents and shop owners were thrilled to learn a new village bus service will be implemented more than 18 months after the number 11 was scrapped.

Passengers were hit when the lifeline number 11 from Altrincham to Stockport was re-routed to by-pass Timperley Village.

But although happy with the news, Timperley councillor and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority chairman Matt Colledge stressed the importance of linking the village to Wythenshawe Hospital as well.

He said: “I’m really pleased as I’ve been pushing for a new bus service since it was taken away. It has taken a lot of work and effort but I’m conscious it only solves part of the problem.

“The area needs a proper link again to the hospital as that would help a large number of people who currently struggle to get there.”

The new daytime service, called the number 25 Timperley Village Circular, will operate from Timperley Village via the Moss Trooper, Riddings Estate, Broomwood Road, Aimson Road East and Green Lane.

The service is due to start on Monday, January 26 and will run from Monday to Saturday every half an hour between about 8am and 5.30pm.

A meeting will take place at the Luxi Store on January 20 to inform delighted residents about the return of the service and two passenger transport executive (GMPTE) representatives will be in attendance.

Dave Angus, owner of the Luxi Store on Stockport Road, said: “It’s perfect and I’m very happy and pleased about this outcome. People have struggled since the bus was taken away.”

“But they need to use this new service otherwise it’ll get taken away from us again.”

In October last year about 270 Timperley residents had their say about bus services in the area.

GMPTE officers were staggered at the scale of the response when they set up a stall to hear people's views and the decision to bring in the number 25 came as a direct result of that event.

Cllr Colledge added: “I’d like to thank all those who turned out for that meeting. Without that feedback we wouldn’t have got a new bus service.”

Timperley councillor Jane Brophy said: “I hope that this long overdue improvement called for by Timperley Liberal Democrat councillors is welcomed and well-used by residents.”