A CANCELLED bus route will have its official reopening tomorrow after an overwhelming public outcry forced authorities to act.

Nearly 1,000 people in Flackwell Heath signed a petition over less than two weeks in September after Arriva cut a vital service into the village.

But after seeing the strength of the opposition, Buckinghamshire County Council and Carousel, the other bus operator in the area, agreed to bring back the route.

Tomorrow will see the official launch of the Purple Route, which provides a half-hourly service to Flackwell Heath and includes routes 35 and 36.

Both the new 35 service, which runs from the village to High Wycombe via London Road. And route 36, which was previously the number 400 bus and goes along Daws Hill Lane, will run every hour alternately.

The Purple Route has been in operation since March 10 but people from BCC and Carousel will come together tomorrow to welcome the new bus service.

Steve Burns, director of Carousel buses, said "I am delighted with the Purple Route which offers a high quality service to residents of Flackwell Heath.

"It's a really quick and convenient service and we hope plenty of people will get on board."

This view was echoed by Jim Stevens, head of transportation at BCC.

He said: "Public transport plays a vital role in the development of High Wycombe and Eden and we really encourage residents to take advantage of the rainbow routes network."

For more information on Carousel's service into High Wycombe town centre, go to www.rainbowroutes.co.uk.