Double boost for Little London

12.00.00am GMT Thu 11th Jan 2007

Bus chiefs Metro (West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority), have announced they are to reinstate the number 51/51a bus service from Servia Road and Servia Hill (Little London) after a six month absence.

The service was diverted in the summer due to illegally parked cars making the route up Servia Road and Servia Hill impassable. An upshot of this diversion was that elderly and disabled people couldn't access alternative stops without a long walk and steep climb.

The reinstatement of the bus service has been made possible due to double yellow lines being painted on Servia Road and Servia Hill. The road markings are a result of a long-running campaign by local councillor Penny Ewens to address the problem of illegal parking in the area.

Along with her colleague Councillor Kabeer Hussain, Councillor Ewens has welcomed the completion of the works ahead of schedule.

Councillor Penny Ewens (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said "It was anticipated that work on the double yellow lines wouldn't be completed until early February, so this is a real boost. I know residents, who have had to struggle to the alternative bus route, will be delighted by this news. The double yellow lines will not only make the bus route up Servia Road and Servia Hill accessible but they will also make it easier for refuse and emergency services vehicles to get through."

Councillor Kabeer Hussain (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) added, "The problem of illegal parking in Little London is still a major issue, but this latest initiative shows we are heading in the right direction."