Congleton's newest bus services are up and running.

D&G has officially launched its 'Beartown Bus' 93A and 93C services.

These two circular routes connect Viking Park with Congleton town centre, via West Heath.

They have been funded through the government's Bus Service Improvement Plan and Section 106 monies.

Councillor Kay Wesley, chair of the Town Council's Community Committee, got on the first 93A bus as it left the station on Monday morning, November 10.

She said: "I and fellow councillors, as well as many residents, have been asking for the return of a West Heath branch of the much-loved Beartown Bus service for years. It is marvellous to be able to get to the shopping centre and Viking Park without needing a car, and for residents living on the Holmes Chapel Road side of West Heath to be able to hop on a bus into town.

"I mentioned the new service on social media and within a few hours more than 100 people had responded positively. This demonstrates the demand for better Congleton bus services that we have seen before in our surveys.

"Many thanks to Cheshire East Council and D&G Bus for adding the 93A and C. This is part of the local allocation of new government funding for bus services around the country. I hope it is just the start of new, improved and extended bus services for Congleton."

Timetable for the 93A and 93C bus services (Credit: D&G)

The anti-clockwise travelling 93A starts at Congleton Fairground, heading along Market Street, Mountbatten Way, Rood Hill and Clayton Bypass before arriving at Viking Park on Barn Road.

From there, it continues on to Wolstenholme Elmy Way, Back Lane, Longdown Road, Cumberland Road and Holmes Chapel Road, stopping at West Heath Shopping Centre.

Finally, the bus travels across West Road, West Street, Antrobus Street, Mill Street, Mountbatten Way and Market Street before arriving back at Congleton Fairground.

The 93C will follow roughly the same route, in reverse order.

Alternating 93A and 93C buses will depart from Congleton Fairground every half an hour, Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays.