BUSES had to be diverted at the weekend after transport bosses deemed a route unsafe for drivers and passengers.

Vehicles were pelted with stones while travelling through Pinehurst and had to be taken off the road and diverted away from the route on Saturday.

As a result of three stone throwing incidents along Pinehurst Road, Service 11 was diverted for the rest of the evening in a measure bosses said was taken only in ‘extreme circumstances’.

Thamesdown Transport made the decision to protect the safety of passengers, and have now resumed normal services in the area.

The incidents took place at 11.05am, 3.30pm and 4.45pm on Pinehurst Road, and a similar incident also took place on Service 12 at North Star Avenue.

No passengers were injured during the attacks but three of the services could not continue and had to be taken out of circulation, resulting in delays for those travelling while a replacement vehicle was scrambled.

Paul Jenkins, managing director of Thamesdown Transport, apologised to customers affected by the changes.

“Unplanned diversions are not a decision we take lightly and will only implement these in extreme circumstances,” he said.

“Unfortunately, after sustaining damage which meant three vehicles needed to be taken off the road, we felt that we could no longer continue serving a section of Pinehurst Road on Saturday evening due to the risk posed to our passengers.

“Once the decision was made to divert the route, we advised passengers waiting at the bus station and posted a news item on our website. Normal service resumed on Monday morning. We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of the diversion.”

The news came after a number of similar incidents were reported last month, as buses were pelted with stones in Cheney Manor Road and Pinehurst Road.

The incidents took place between August 19 and 28, and earlier this month a 14-year-old and two 10-year-olds were questioned by police in relation to the offences.

PC Dave Thompson, community beat manager for Pinehurst, said: “Since the first few incidents, we have increased patrols in the area and, as a result, have identified and spoken to three people in connection with these incidents.

“I would urge all parents to keep an eye on what their children are up to when they are out playing and have a conversation with them about the consequences of people doing things like this.

“These actions are dangerous and reckless.

“The young men we spoke to about the previous incidents admitted what they had done, but we can’t do anything until we hear back from the bus company.

“There is good CCTV in the area so we are hopeful, but we would ask that anyone who saw any of these incidents contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call 101.