A NEW bus service launched earlier this month by a parish council has been hailed a success just over a week after its inaugural trip.

The new route at Bradlands, Marston to central Headington was first launched on Friday November 11.

Marston councillor Mick Haines together with Old Marston Parish Council led the launch and the bus service which is delivered by Aspire using parish council funding.

Just over one week since the launch of the service Old Marston Parish Council said that it had been a success.

Parish clerk Tim Cann said: “The residents of Bradlands in Mill Lane, Old Marston mainly live on their own or are elderly couples.

“They have not had a bus service since Oxfordshire County Council cut funding for the bus service earlier this year as part of their budget cuts making a simple task such as doing a weekly shop virtually impossible for them.

“Old Marston Parish Council were keen to help those living in Bradlands to lead a more active, independent life and believe that funding this project, through the Aspires Oxford charity, would be an important step towards helping them achieve this goal.

“The first journey was to the shops in Headington, however, hopefully future journeys could take in stops along the route such as the shops in the Old Marston Road or Cherwell Drive.

“We would like to thank Oxford City Councillor Mick Haines for his help with this project.”