BUS users in Westleigh are furious after two vital nightly services were taken off the road.

Now 300 residents of the Abbey Lane estate have sent transport chiefs a petition demanding the return of the 594 and 595 nightly services to Wigan.

Doreen Nolan, 68, of Abbey Square, said the circular services - which run to Wigan through the estate from Leigh - were stopped after 5.15pm two weeks ago because of vandalism.

But Mrs Nolan said: "There is no evidence of vandalism that I know about. Surely we are going back to the 1900s if we have no transport.

"People depend on these buses and we need them. It is presenting a lot of problems. We can't go out at night or visit relatives or even Wigan infirmary. People are being forced to pay for taxis. The services are vital."

The 594 service travels through Westleigh to Wigan, along Westleigh Lane, and still operates every half hour during the day until 5.15pm. The 595 - operated by Arriva - runs to Wigan around the Abbey Lane estate every 30 minutes during the day, but stops at 5.15pm. A Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive spokesman said: "Unfortunately, the quotes given by the operators bidding for the contract to run the services were significantly higher than the previous contract prices and GMPTE was not able to make an award for the continuation of these services.

"The increased prices reflect the commercial priorities of the bus companies who, increasingly, build the high costs of vandalism and other issues into their bid prices.

"GMPTE, of course, regrets that this situation has led to certain areas of Wigan and Leigh being left without an evening bus service. We are, however, actively working to reintroduce evening bus services in those areas that are now no longer covered."

Meanwhile, transport chiefs are to meet with the bosses of First Manchester and Stagecoach Manchester bus operators to register their complaints over the continued withdrawal of bus services.

As reported in the Journal, services including the 33 from Wigan and others across Atherton and Tyldesley have been cancelled, causing transport headaches for residents. GMPTE chairman Coun Roger Jones said: "The existing budget is already stretched to the limit with priority being given to those services that take people to and from work or school." ANGRY: Westleigh residents have sent a petition calling for the return of vital evening bus services