A BUS link between Watlington and the Cowley shopping centres in Oxford is to be reinstated next month.

Thames Travel withdrew the connection when it made major timetable changes after losing a £130,000 annual subsidy for the No 106 route due to county council budget cuts.

As a result, shoppers from Watlington, Cuxham, Chalgrove and Stadhampton had to changes Buses in Oxford to reach Templars Square and the Templars Retail Park at Cowley.

But after gaining experience operating the new timetable, Thames Travel has decided it will be able to reinstate off-peak weekday services via Cowley.

Managing director John Wright said: “When the new timetable came in, we needed to be certain we could run the new route reliably, without delays.

“Once we had done that we looked at the feedback from parish councils and bus users in the area.

“We listened to what people were saying and I’m delighted to say we’ve been able to restore a daytime link to Cowley. A revised timetable will be introduced on Tuesday, September 6.”

Buses will run from Watlington into Oxford via Cowley hourly from 9.45am until 2.45pm.

The services via Cowley going in the opposite direction will leave St Aldate’s from 9.50am until 2.50pm.

Mr Wright added “We pride ourselves on serving our community and I’m delighted we’ve been able to respond to feedback and introduce this link.”