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AN AXED east Durham bus service is to be restored following complaints and a petition from passengers.

Arriva scrapped its Horden to Sunderland service in widespread changes to its commercially operated, unsubsidised operations during a shake-up by the company announced in August.

The move prompted anger in the former pit village of Horden and residents compiled a petition which was forwarded to Durham County Council.

As a result the authority sought urgent talks with Arriva, which has now agreed to re-instate the scrapped Horden to Sunderland service.

Arriva has also agreed to introduce further improvements to east Durham communities which are to take effect from Sunday, January 4.

The current Hartlepool Sunderland service 23, will be revised so that one bus per hour is re-routed to run between Peterlee bus station and Easington Colliery via Yoden Way and Horden to re-establish the transport link with Sunderland.

Further improvements are also to be made with the east Durham area and Durham City with the reintroduction of an hourly through-link between Easington Village, Esington Colliery, Horden and Durham.

Coun Paul Stradling, Durham County Councillor for Horden said: “As soon as I heard about the August changes I was very concerned at the effect on Horden and I have been campaigning for improvements.

He added: “I am happy that after some difficult discussions with Arriva we have now got an agreement. I am confident people in Horden will make good use of the revised services.’’