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A direct bus service between Blackwood and the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran is set to be launched.

Stagecoach has confirmed the new 21 bus service will start running from Sunday July 9.

Service 21 will run from Blackwood, with stops at Newbridge, Crumlin, Llanhilleth, Hafodyrynys, Pontypool and Griffithstown before reaching the Grange University Hospital. It will include further stops at Croesyceiliog School and Cwmbran.

The hourly service will run between 5am and midnight every day, including weekends.

Residents looking to get to the Grange from Caerphilly will need to catch the 26 bus to Blackwood, where they can catch the direct 21 service to the hospital.

The £350m hospital opened in late 2020, but public transport between it and Caerphilly County Borough has been an issue.

Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David welcomed the announcement and said: “While I appreciate it has been a wait – due to unavoidable delays relating around legalities, this service is very much needed.

“I hope it will ease some of the concerns of residents who have written to me about access to the Grange hospital.

“It is something I have been pushing for a few years now, so to finally see it implemented is excellent news.”

Islwyn MS Rhianon Passmore echoed Dr David’s comments and said the new service was “overdue”.

Ms Passmore said: “We all know the importance of the availability of good public transport. This is even more so to such a strategic important community facility as Gwent’s major hospital.

I urge residents to make use of the 21 Service and I will continue to make representations for increased connectivity across Islwyn communities.”