THERE will be NO changes to the number 12 bus service in North Ayrshire, despite rumours to the contrary.

Concerns were raised by a number of readers and Stevenston Community Council also mooted that alterations had been the talk of the town but Stagecoach bosses this week quashed the rumours as ‘unfounded’ and they explained that they are looking to work with North Ayrshire Council to look at services going forward.

Fraser Smith, Commercial Director Stagecoach West Scotland said: “We have no current plans to alter service 12 and as such I can only advise that any discussion on this in the local area is unfounded rumour.”

Stagecoach added that they had made contact with North Ayrshire Council and explained: “We have recently written to the Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council requesting a meeting with the Chief Executive and the relevant senior leadership team members with regard to bus services in North Ayrshire and how we need to work together in partnership to take a holistic view of the current provision and indeed what the future provision needs to look like.

“There are a number of factors out with our control such as bus priority measures, infrastructure, local policy and congestion issues which we are keen to work with North Ayrshire on and in return for us to look at all the factors within our control to help the council meet its targets on issues around social inclusion, air quality and effective use of road space.

“We hope to meet with North Ayrshire in the early part of the new year to start discussions to improve the situation for all and indeed for the local communities.”