A NEW community minibus service linking the new Worcestershire Parkway Station with St Peters, Norton, Littleworth and Brockhill comes into service from today.

Funding for Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council’s pilot service has been provided by Wychavon District Council through a community legacy grant, and Worcestershire County Council has provided the bus for Worcester Wheels to operate the service for the parish county.

The dial-a-ride service launches today with four round trips each weekday, and it is designed to give residents regular access to shops and transport connections that have been completely lacking since the previous bus service was withdrawn.

A launch event was held at the parish council in Littleworth on September 4, with an inaugural trip on the bus held. Guests included Nigel Huddleston MP, leader of Wychavon District Council Councillor Bradley Thomas, Vic Allison chief executor of Wychavon District Council, Councillor Ged Bearcroft and Councillor Rob Adams, district and county councillor for Norton and Whittingham Ward, as well as representatives from Worcestershire Council Council, Worcester Wheels, St Peter’s Parish Council and local businesses.

READ MORE: Worcester mum's fury as she can't book Covid tests for sick kids

READ MORE: "Little angel" Lily to be remembered with procession

A spokesman for the parish council said: “Before coronavirus, the bus services had been in steady decline for years, recently dropping to one bus a day and the final withdrawal was no great surprise.

"This service will provide much needed connections for parish residents both to Parkway Station and to St Peters as well as onward bus links to Worcester.”

“Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council has been working on developing the Norton Connector community minibus since the middle of 2019 and surveys of residents have been overwhelmingly supportive.”