RESIDENTS are celebrating after a campaign to extend a bus route to the new wing of the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, was successful.

People living in East Oxford, Wood Farm and Headington will now be able to catch the No 10 Stagecoach service to the hospital's West Wing and Children's Hospital.

The route, from the city centre along Osler Road in Headington, had been stopping at the hospital's main entrance, meaning passengers wanting to go to the new wing had to walk or change buses.

Now Stagecoach has announced it is lengthening the route by 342yd after more than 160 people signed a petition calling for it to be extended.

Eileen Ilott, 77, of Broad Oak, Wood Farm, helped collect signatures for the petition.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted, I really am. It's people power. If enough people want something badly and they are willing to shout loud enough, you can get something done."

Mrs Ilott said she collected signatures at Wood Farm Senior Citizens' Club, which she runs, and Cheney Over-50s Club.

She said: "It was for everybody, it wasn't just for my age group. I was thinking about young mums with kids.

"The bus company have obviously listened and they've taken on board what we said and what we wanted.

"It was very good of them to even consider it. We're grateful to them as well. I feel as if we've achieved something."

Churchill ward city councillor Joe McManners, who supported the campaign, said: "I'm very happy for the people who use the bus, because it means it makes it a lot easier to get directly to the West Wing. It's especially good for people whose mobility is not good, so they don't have to drive or get a taxi.

"I'm pleased that Stagecoach has shown responsiveness to the views of the users and I would like to thank everybody who signed the petition.

"It shows that it's worth asking for things and worth signing a petition. People do listen sometimes."

Stagecoach spokesman Chris Child said the change would be made from January 2 next year.

He said: "That's the earliest we can do it. There will need to be some infrastructure work done - paving, so when people get off the bus they're not walking on the grass.

"It's in response to the needs of our passengers, who obviously requested it, and we're happy to be able to provide the link that they need."