The number 80 bus service will continue with no break in service, thanks to Derbyshire County Council finding a new operator to take it on and providing funding for it. There will also be a new link between Killamarsh and Sheffield for residents in that part of the County.

The 80 route, which currently goes from Chesterfield, to the Royal Hospital and then Brimington, Staveley and Killamarsh before terminating at Crystal Peaks, was operated on a commercial basis by Hulleys of Baslow. They informed the council a few months ago that they were cancelling the service to focus on operations closer to their Baslow depot.

Work then started by the County Council to find another bus company who were willing to run this service, with it now being confirmed that First Bus has been appointed and funded to run the service. It will now operate from Chesterfield to the Royal Hospital, then Brimington, Staveley before terminating at Killamarsh. It will revert to similar to the previous timetabled service, meaning it will serve Mastin Moor.

First Bus is also being funded to extend its 120 service from Sheffield so that every hour it goes to Killamarsh from Halfway, reinstating the Sheffield link and providing a new service for North Derbyshire residents to Hallamshire Hospital.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said:

“We understand how important this service is for people from Killamarsh, Staveley and Brimington. It means they can get into Chesterfield, and directly to the hospital.

“We have been working very hard over recent weeks to secure the best possible service for residents in this area and our bus team did sterling work to find another bus company, and I’m sure that First Bus will do a great job at running a reliable service.

“First Bus is also extending its 120 service so that people from Killamarsh can have a direct link to Sheffield and the Hallamshire hospital.

“As these services are no longer being provided commercially, we have agreed to fund these journeys.

“I am also pleased that there will be no break in service – and my thanks to the Council’s bus team who have been working really hard to ensure this was the case. Please do give the new services a try!”

Hulleys end their service on Saturday 11th May, with First Bus taking over on Sunday 12th May.