A NEW bus service is being introduced to help Malvern residents left stranded by a road closure.

The service will help people in West Malvern Road get to and from the area, with Cadent set to carry out gas main repair works.

These works are scheduled to last until Christmas, having started on November 17.

Since then, Cllr Natalie McVey, Green Party councillor for Malvern Trinity, has organised a 14-seat shuttle bus to run on weekdays while the road is closed.

Cllr McVey said First Bus suspended all their services in the area, leaving residents stranded.

She said: "Many residents are non-drivers, who rely on the bus to do their shopping, attend medical appointments and visit friends.

"To have this service removed from them for a minimum of six weeks would have been, in my opinion, unacceptable.

"It would be difficult enough at any time of the year, but when it is dark and potentially icy underfoot, I think that there would be a risk to personal safety.

"I am very relieved that residents will be able to access this free bus service and would like to thank officers at Worcestershire County Council for their support in arranging this lifeline for West Malvern residents."

The bus service runs for the duration of the works on weekdays, excluding bank holidays.

It will be running free of charge to passengers.

The timetable for the service is as follows:

OUTGOING

St James and The Abbey: 9.45am

The Dingle: 9.47am

West Malvern Road: 9.50am

Bellevue Terrace: 9.58am

RETURN

Bellevue Terrace: 12pm (midday)

West Malvern Road: 12.08pm

The Dingle: 12.11pm

St James and The Abbey: 12.13pm

Worcestershire County Council announced the road would be closed, with a spokesman saying: "West Malvern Road closed from November 17 until Christmas for major gas main replacement works by Cadent."

The road will be closed from the B4232 West Malvern Road from its junction with U63556 Lamb Bank to its junction with U66409 Croft Bank.

In June this year, an underground gas leak saw the road closed while Cadent repaired the pipe.

Cadent Gas, which manages the local network, repaired the problem after a member of the public smelt gas.