A BUS route in Durham has begun to run into the new Mount Oswald estate to help travel into the heart of the city.

The S1 Scarlet Band service is now running from Mount Oswald, along New Elvet, Claypath and Sherburn Road before reaching its destination at Gilesgate Tesco and then making the return journey.

The cost of the extended service, which will operate from Mondays to Saturdays between 7.30am and 7.30pm, has been funded by the Banks Group, the firm behind the development of the Mount Oswald site, as part of its contribution towards helping to meet local sustainable transport needs.

The first phase of residential development on the site, which involved the building of 60 properties by David Wilson Homes, is now complete,

As part of the travel plan, residents moving into the new homes at Mount Oswald receive a travel pack containing detailed information on different travel options around the site and the city, as well as a free one month bus pass and a cycle pack to help encourage them to leave their cars at home.

John Ruddick, the company’s senior property development manager, said: “Taking the S1 route into Mount Oswald and creating better links is a natural move, and will encourage more people to choose this easy option for getting into the city centre.

“As the site develops, we will see further measures put in place to encourage local people to leave their cars at home, such as new footpaths and cyclepaths, and we aim to make Mount Oswald an exemplar of how sustainable transport measures should be implemented within major developments.”