BUS service campaigners in Southampton can claim a partial victory with the promise of a new law on route changes.

Government transport minister Lord Whitty has taken the plight of Southampton bus users into account and is set to push a new law through Parliament to extend the notice period bus companies must give before making route changes.

In future, bus companies like First Southampton could have to give eight weeks' notice instead of six to the Transport Commissioner before introducing major changes to routes.

The move comes less than three weeks after Lord Whitty visited the city to talk with the council on transport issues, including First Southampton's network review last month.

Richard Williams, the council's executive member for transport, said: "We don't think that the six-week notice period is long enough. The council would have had more time for negotiation and consultation - and it would have ameliorated the difficulties some people have experienced - if we could have had longer before the changes came into effect.

"First Southampton has not broken any law, but based on experiences here in Southampton, we want the law changed, and this shows the government is listening to our concerns and acting on them. Although the amount of the increase is not 100 per cent confirmed, it seems it's going to be an increase from 42 to 56 days' notice for bus companies making route changes."

In a letter to Mr Williams, Lord Whitty said the change in law would be part of a package of measures for improving bus services.

First Southampton spokeswoman Patricia Gray said: "First Southampton will, of course, comply with whatever law enforcements are in place. Regarding the recent timetable changes, First Southampton gave Southampton City Council all the details 12 weeks before implementation, which is well in excess of the required notification period."

If you've got a story for Bus Watch, call Fiona Griffiths in the Daily Echo's city centre office on 023 8033 7757.