THE 20 Kilwinnning local bus service will continue to be half hourly it was confirmed this week.

The service from Blacklands to Woodwynd via the town centre was won by independent firm Shuttle Buses in April when Scottish Passenger Transport (SPT) put the route up for tender.

It was previously operated by Stagecoach.

The terms of the new contract were for an hourly service but Shuttle Buses proposed a half hourly service which has now been accepted by the Traffic Commissioner.

Shuttle Buses will also reintroduce a service – the 38 – to run every hour into Irvine Cross and continue to the Riverway Retail Park.

The news was welcomed by Kilwinning Labour Councillor Joe Cullinane. He said: “Having campaigned for the retention of a half hourly service I am delighted with this news.

“The fact that one bus per hour will now go into Irvine as well is an added bonus and one which I am sure many of my constituents who use the service will welcome.” “I was happy to help them get their proposal accepted by pressing the case with SPT and the Traffic Commissioner and I now wish them every success with the service.” Commenting on the reintroductiom of the Irvine Cross service Shuttle Buses Director David Granger said: “We are delighted to be operating this service once again.

“This was the very first route run by Shuttle Buses back in January 1990.

"It was a well-used service then, and I am sure that re-establishing the direct link between Woodwynd, Blacklands and Irvine will be very popular with passengers.” The new 38 service will start from July 14.