David Ruffley MP has welcomed the announcements by First and Mulleys to provide additional bus services for his Howard estate constituents.

David fully supported the campaign by the Howard Estate Over 60s Club, led by Ernie Broom, to persuade First to extend their 80 bus route from the council offices in Western Way to the Howard estate.

David lobbied First Eastern Counties Managing Director, Alan Pilbeam, prior to the meeting between First, St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk County Council on 12 August.

First will now extend their 80 bus route to Beetons Way and Mulleys' new service will go from St Andrews Street South and stop at the bus station, railway station, Tollgate, Prince Charles Avenue, Clay Road, St Olaves Precinct, Oakes Road, Asda and the Falcon public house.

In David's online survey on local bus services, 70% of respondents supported the extension of the 80 bus service to the Howard Estate.

David said:

'I am delighted that First and Mulleys will be providing my Howard estate constituents with vastly improved bus services.

'This is a victory for people power and a campaign that I wholeheartedly supported. I congratulate Ernie Broom on running an excellent campaign, without which these services would not have been provided.

'I made it clear to Alan Pilbeam, First Eastern Counties Managing Director, that there was a huge strength of feeling among my Howard estate constituents that the 80 bus route should be extended to their estate.

'My recent online survey on local bus services showed that 70% of respondents supported the campaign to extend the 80 bus route to the Howard estate.

'Once the new Mulleys' bus route and the extension to First's 80 bus service are in operation, my Howard estate constituents will finally have the bus services they need and deserve.'