IMPROVED bus services linking the Churchill area of Helensburgh with the centre of the town will begin on a trial basis in the new year.

A Sunday service will operate for the first time on the 315 bus route on a trial basis, beginning on Sunday, January 5.

The service, operated by Garelochhead Coaches with financial support from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), will leave from East Princes Street, outside Helensburgh Central station, at 11.48am, 3.48pm and 5.48pm each Sunday.

Journeys towards the town will leave from Kent Drive in Churchill at 9.55am, 11.55am, 3.55pm and 5.55pm.

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The new Sunday service will operate over a simplified version of the Monday-Saturday route, via East Princes Street, Henry Bell Street, Old Luss Road, Winston Road, Kent Drive and Hardy Hill, returning to the town centre via Winston Road, Old Luss Road, Henry Bell Street and East Princes Street.

There will be no change to the Monday-Saturday timetable, which will continue to be provided by Wilson's of Rhu.

SPT previously approved a trial on the 316 Helensburgh-Coulport bus service which will see the 11pm journey from Helensburgh to Garelochhead, operated by Garelochhead Coaches, extended to run to Coulport on Friday and Saturday nights.

That trial will begin on Friday, January 10.

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