MERSEYTRAVEL are to introduce a number of bus services in Wirral, including improved provision to two hospitals, after the closure of Avon Buses earlier this month.

Company directors revealed the decision on Friday, October 5 after 35 years of serving the community.

Acting as quickly as possible through a tender process required by law, Merseytravel is now able to confirm the proposed new service provision to replace a number of services which were lost.

New bus services include reintroduction of the 16/17 bus service from South Wirral to Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals. Bus service has also been re-introduced into Oxton Village.

  • Service 16/17: Moreton Cross – South Wirral Circular. Re-instated as previous route, but will be extended to operate a circular route via Spital, Eastham, Mill Park & Raby Mere giving links from South Wirral to Arrowe Park & Clatterbridge Hospitals. Every 30 minutes (combined) Mon-Sat daytime.
  • Service 22: Chester – Moreton Cross: Extended to operate through Sandbrook Estate. Every 60 minutes Mon-Sat daytime.
  • Service 38: West Kirby – Eastham: Extended to/from Eastham Ferry. Every 60 minutes Mon-Sat daytime.
  • Service 73: Heswall – Poulton Lancelyn: New service operating via Barnston Road, Landican and Bebington. Every 60 minutes Mon-Sat daytime.
  • Service 80: West Kirby – Newton Circular: Every 60 mins Mon-Sat daytime
  • Service 82: West Kirby – Greasby: Revised service operating via Caldy and Irby. Every 60 mins Mon-Sat daytime
  • Service 91: Birkenhead – Holmlands Estate: Revised service, no longer serving Claughton Village, Holm Lane, or Prenton Lane. Service will now operate via Oxton Village. Every 60 mins Mon-Sat daytime.

A Merseytravel spokesman said a level of service will be re-introduced to nearly all areas currently without access to public transport on a Monday-Saturday daytime.

The organisation had stepped in to address what it called 'private sector operator failure' in line with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee's approved policy for provision of bus services.

The bus services are funded publicly and aim to fill gaps in the network of commercial bus services across Merseyside so that as many people as possible have access to a bus service.

The services are due to come into operation a week on Monday, November 5, subject to successful completion of the required procurement process.

The operators of each service, along with arrangements for ticketing, will be confirmed at this point.

Full details of the planned replacement services can be found on the Merseytravel webpage at www.merseytravel.gov.uk/avon.

Responding to news that the re-routed 91 will once again be serving Oxton Village, Lib Dem councillor Allan Brame said: "This is fantastic news.

"Older village residents were dismayed when Avon removed the village bus last April, but we have kept up the pressure to bring a service back.

"And since the collapse of Avon, people on the Holmlands estate have only had a Saturday bus.

"For some older residents, walking to the main bus routes on Woodchurch Road was simply not an option.

"They will be delighted to see the weekday 91 back from November 5th, giving them access again to the Prenton shops and Birkenhead town centre."

Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: "We know how much people rely on bus services for all of their day-to-day activities, from going to school or work, shopping, or visiting the hospital or their GP.

"This swift action, to ensure that people can still get around following the collapse of a private sector operator, demonstrates the importance of the Combined Authority’s role in overseeing public transport across the city region.

"It is also a timely reminder of why we are examining the devolved powers we have around bus services to see how we might further improve bus services in the future."

Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Portfolio Holder, said: "While some areas in the country outside our city region are being left with no services due to the financial challenges being faced by local authorities, we have continued our commitment to bus services across the city region.

"The closure of a bus operator at such short notice presented us with a huge challenge but, within the frameworks we have to follow and budget restrictions we have, our staff have done an excellent job to turn around these new services so quickly."