WARRINGTON'S Own Buses (WOB) insists it is committed to ensuring communities 'remain connected' following a claim that bus routes in the town are 'never safe'.

Planning chiefs deferred a decision on Bloor Homes' plans for 74 homes in Appleton Thorn on Wednesday.

The deferral will allow for 'further consideration' over the layout, amount of development and green space provision on the site.

And further information has been requested from WOB, in regards to the delivery of bus service improvements in the area.

It came after committee member Cllr David Keane said the current bus routes are 'never safe' in Warrington.

Network Warrington rebranded itself as WOB last month.

A spokesman for the bus operator said it is yet to receive any requests for further information, although it will respond when they arrive.

He also confirmed WOB does not receive any Government funding.

"We operate some contracts on behalf of local authorities in the area but do not receive specific funding for our general operations," he added.

"As one of a number of bus operators in Warrington, we are committed to ensuring that as many communities in the borough remain connected.

"Each of our routes is kept under constant review and we do operate less economic services to ensure that we can support our communities.

"We are, however, a commercial operator and are finitely resourced so there will inevitably be areas of the borough we alone cannot cover."