Non-stop buses using a diversion route between Menston and Otley are now picking up and dropping off passengers along the route.

Drivers on the diverted Service 653 bus operated by First Bradford have been told they can call at several bus stops on the A65 and A660 near Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston, following negotiations with public transport bosses.

Chairman of West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Metro, Councillor Ryk Downes, has confirmed that buses will now be serving the bus stops during the long-term diversion.

The diversion route is in place while Bradford Council carries out an estimated 14 weeks of roadworks at Ellar Ghyll, between Otley and Menston, on the A6038.

Leaflets were distributed on local bus services telling passengers about the diversion route and which services would be disrupted - but did not tell residents that the 653 and 967 buses would be operating a non-stop service.

Two Burley-in-Wharfedale pensioners were left with a two-mile hike home from Menston recently, when the diverted bus they were travelling on refused to stop near Sandholme Drive on the A65. The couple had previously caught the same service to Harrogate that morning, and the driver had stopped to pick them up at Sandholme Drive.

Bus company First Bradford had instructed its drivers not to call at any of the stops on the diversion section of the route. Metro had originally requested this, fearing adding the extra stops would make the buses run late.

Metro officers have since carried out negotiations with First Bradford to get the 653 to stop at the diversion route bus stops.