TWO Bromsgrove bus routes, at risk of the chop, have been saved thanks to ‘significant funding’ from the county council.

In June, bus operator Diamond Bus confirmed that some services in Bromsgrove may be withdrawn as they were running at a ‘considerable loss’.

Now, following a review period, the services have been saved after an agreement with Worcestershire County Council.

A package of measures has been agreed which includes funding from the county council, changes to services during times when they are not widely used and a review of bus fares.

Diamond said there will be some fare increases which is “not welcome news” but is a “necessary change in order to continue providing the area with a network of key services.”

The number 52A which runs from Alexandra Hospital to the Princess of Wales Hospital will continue with some timetable changes.

The number 52 which runs from Redditch to Kidderminster via Bromsgrove will also continue but with some timetable changes.

Bob Baker, managing director of Diamond Bus said: “We are hugely grateful for the additional funding that the council has been able to offer as an emergency measure.

“We are committed to providing Worcestershire with the robust bus network it needs to support a growing community, but services need to become viable commercially in the long term and to do this we need a significant growth in passengers travelling by bus.”

Councillor Mike Rouse, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We’ve worked closely with bus operators in the past few months to come up with a solution that benefits the residents of Worcestershire.

“Of course, there is still a way to go to secure the future of bus services, but this council is committed to improving all forms of transport.”

The agreement with Worcestershire County Council ensures that the current services will continue until at least the end of March 2023.