The launch of a new bus service in east Cleveland has been postponed with operator Stagecoach apologising for any inconvenience to passengers.

The one and two is a partnership between the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) and Redcar and Cleveland Council and is due to operate on a one-year trial basis.

It will connect Brotton, Carlin How, Skelton, Lingdale, Liverton Mines, Loftus, Moorsholm and Skinningrove to East Cleveland Hospital, Saltburn Railway Station and the Skelton Retail Park.

The buses, which will run all day on a combined hourly frequency with each service operating every two hours, were due to take to the roads on Monday (March 27).

But Stagecoach said clearance from the office of the Traffic Commissioner to begin operation had not been received, “so regrettably their launch is postponed”.

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It added: “Stagecoach would like to apologise for any inconvenience and hardship this may cause.”

Stagecoach already operates TVCA’s on-demand Tees Flex service, a pilot scheme, which was recently extended at a cost of £1.8m.

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The disappointing news about the new service was also shared by Councillor Cliff Foggo, the council’s cabinet member for highways and transport on his Facebook page.

Cllr Foggo said: “As soon as we have a definite start date we will announce it.”

Some east Cleveland communities have complained of being cut off and Redcar and Cleveland Council recently said it was keen to improve public transport links in the area to help residents get access to jobs, education, shops and any required healthcare services.