THE village of Levens is set to retain its bus service after all.

It was feared the community would be effectively cut off from public transport when it was announced that Stagecoach was to axe the 530 bus, the last remaining service which calls at the village.

But in response to a local campaign, plans are in motion to run what is expected to be a rerouted 552 service from Arnside to Kendal which will call at Levens.

Cllr Jim Bland, who represents the area on Cumbria County Council and has been instrumental in negotiating the setting up of the service, said he was delighted at the news.

“I tried at length to persuade Stagecoach not to stop the previous service but though they agreed a three-week extension, they wouldn’t continue the service,” he said.

Cllr Bland said he understood another transport company was ready to take up the chance to serve Levens.

He added he had been advised the new service would on request continue to Westmorland General Hospital, which he said was welcome news for the village’s many elderly residents.

Tim Farron, who is currently seeking a further term as Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, was also heavily involved in the bus campaign and said he was very pleased at the announcement.

“I’m delighted that a solution has been found to keep a vital bus link running to Arnside and Levens,” said Mr Farron.

“Local residents were rightly up in arms when the decision was originally announced, and I know that their petitioning and campaigning made a massive difference to this decision.

“I want to thank the county council for working hard to set up this service, and to Stagecoach for agreeing to our request for an extension to the existing services which has made this possible.”

Stagecoach originally announced that the 530 and 552 services were to be axed at the end of October, but in response to pressure from campaigners, a three-week extension was agreed to explore possible solutions.

That extension runs out this week, but the old services are set to be replaced by the new arrangement, though approval for the new service has not been tied up at this point.

Cllr Bland said it was his understanding the new service would initially run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but that frequency may increase to five days a week if sufficient usage made this viable.

At the time of going to press, approval for the new service remained outstanding and therefore the start date and new timetable cannot at present be confirmed.