A NORTH East town's bus station will extend its opening hours until midnight next week.

Middlesbrough Bus Station has been closing at 10pm but will be open from 5am to midnight from Monday, November 29.

A petition was recently launched calling on the council to extend the opening times, it claimed that people felt vulnerable waiting outside of the station for their bus.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: “The Bus Station operating schedule was changed last year due to the restrictions imposed as part of the Covid-19 recovery plan.

“The council has taken a three-step approach to bring services back, with the third phase being implemented on Monday, November 29, 2021, at which point the opening hours of the bus station will return to 5am to midnight.”

Zoey Granger started a petition, which has gained 724 signatures, to demand that the bus station stay open until the last bus leaves.

It reads: “Middlesbrough council has started to close the local bus station 10pm. The last buses do not leave until after 11pm some as late as 11.30pm. There are two stands which the council direct passengers to.

“Both are outside with no shelter and it’s well known for not being the safest area. There is also no bus timetable at either of the stops. Please sign the petition to keep the station open until the last bus leaves.

“This will ensure that those who use these services are safe. Since I posted this petition I have had messages from men and women who have used the provided bus stops, many have stated how they felt vulnerable late at night.”

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