A NEW operator has stepped in to save a vital bus route that connects Wilmslow, Handforth and Alderley Edge – although final details are yet to be confirmed.

Arriva North West confirmed this week that it would be axing the 130 route from January 26, 2020 – which covers SK9 as it runs to and from Macclesfield and East Didsbury.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, told last Thursday's full council meeting that a new operator had stepped in to pick up the service from January 27.

D&G Bus has since confirmed to the Guardian that it is in negotiations with CEC over a replacement service – but the final details are set to be confirmed in the new year.

Chris Almond, bus network manager at D&G Bus, said: "We are not in a position where we can release any information at the moment – it is still going through negotiations with the local authority.

"Yes, we are looking at doing something, but we are not going to know what that is going to be fully until the second week of January – partly because of Christmas, and the fact that everybody who needs to deal with it is off.

"So we are doing something, but what that will be is yet to be finalised. It is not as simple as it sounds unfortunately."

It is understood that the new service could cover a shorter route than the Arriva one, only serving Cheshire, while the new service could also have a reduced timetable.

At last week's full council meeting, Cllr Browne said: "Many residents have been in touch to express their concern at the commercial decision taken by Arriva North West to deregister the 130 local bus service.

"I'm pleased to confirm today that an alternative commercial operator has now come forward and registered to deliver the service from Monday, January 27, meaning – thankfully – that there will be no break in service."

An online petition set up against the service being scrapped attracted more than 1,300 signatures before last Thursday's meeting.

Hilary Kerr, who set up the change.org petition, said: "The stopping of local bus services is catastrophic for local people and local business, schools, shops and the environment.

"Without a local transport scheme we are forcing people out of work, out of education and keeping a large section of our community isolated."