'Lifeline' bus service given the green light

A BUS service that is a lifeline to vulnerable people in isolated areas has been extended after fears it was going to be scrapped.

- By ABIGAIL NICHOLSON

Tees Flex, an on-demand bus service run by Stagecoach and funded by Tees Valley Combined Authority, has been extended until March 2026 at the earliest.

It provides fully accessible travel - in particular, in more rural and isolated areas under-served by other forms of public transport.

North Skelton’s Norma Templeman, 87, had called on Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, to quash rumours of its impending cancellation during a BBC Radio Tees phone-in, in May.

Armed with a bouquet of flowers, Mr Houchen stepped off a Tees Flex - renamed ‘Norma’ - to confirm the service would be extended on Tuesday, July 1. Norma uses Tees Flex three to four times a week to travel to destinations across East Cleveland - and is delighted the minibus service will continue.