A BUS route in South Oxfordshire has been saved after a campaign by residents and parish councils.

Oxfordshire County Council had suggested cutting the subsidy for the number 134/135 between Wallingford and Goring and maybe cutting the service altogether.

But parishes along the route got together to fight the plans. They also argued that by using smaller more economical buses the number of services could be increased.

And the county council responded to a plea from South Oxfordshire District Council, by announcing it will subsidise a new, improved minibus route on a trial basis for three years, operated by Abingdon-based community transport firm Go Ride.

The new route, which was launched yesterday and uses the route number 134, is a direct service between Wallingford and Goring, via Crowmarsh and South Stoke, and no longer runs as a circular service via Moulsford and Cholsey.

It runs through the village of South Stoke in both directions via Ferry Road, The Street and South Bank.

It has been designed to allow timely connections with trains to and from Reading and London at Goring & Streatley station and X39/X40 Thames Travel buses to and from Oxford at Wallingford or Crowmarsh.

For timetable details, see goridebus.co.uk or call 0844 870 7835.