Residents gathered in Bramford this morning to catch a brand new bus service which has been heralded as "fantastic news" for the community.

The new 8B bus service will connect the villages of Bramford and Sproughton with the nearby employment areas of Eastern Gateway and Farthing Road Industrial Estate, as well as to Ipswich.

This is a new, hourly service operating from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday, with the very first bus setting off from Bramford at 7.35am on Monday.

On Monday morning, around 10 residents were at the Gipping Way bus stop, reading to greet the bus with flags and bunting.

The neighbours caught the bus into Ipswich, where they celebrated this news over coffee and breakfast.

“We all think it’s brilliant, and hope it carries on,” said Bramford resident, Joy Mackie. “We’re going to try and get on it at least once a day.”

Ipswich Star: Around 10 neighbours were waiting at the bus stop to welcome the new bus service. Image: Joy MackieAround 10 neighbours were waiting at the bus stop to welcome the new bus service. Image: Joy Mackie (Image: Joy Mackie)Ipswich Star: The service has been heralded as great news for the community. Image: Councillor Caroline WoltonThe service has been heralded as great news for the community. Image: Councillor Caroline Wolton (Image: Councillor Caroline Wolton)

Ipswich Star: County Councillor Chris Chambers represents Gipping Valley. Image: Suffolk County CouncilCounty Councillor Chris Chambers represents Gipping Valley. Image: Suffolk County Council (Image: Cllr Chris Chambers)

The new bus service was also praised by Councillor Caroline Wolton of Bramford Parish Council.

“We are all really excited, it’s been a long time coming,” she said. “It’s nice to finally get an hourly service. It should open up more opportunities for employment. And shops – Bramford has never had a bus service to a large supermarket, so it’s really nice that residents can access Morrisons now.”

This new service will receive a proportion of the Bus Service Improvement Plan 2 (BSIP) funding. This was allocated to Suffolk County Council by the government following a successful bid from Ipswich Buses and Councillor Chris Chambers, who represents Gipping Valley.

"Bus services are a lot of money, and it's not very often you can help put a new route together," said Cllr Chambers. 

"I articulated the need and desire of residents for the bus route, and I think the interest and celebration that has happened since it's been announced is proof that this is going to be a sustainable route.

"It's great news."