Max says review the buses

A customer on a First Bus

ONE of Britain’s youngest parish councillors plans to urge  transport  chiefs to immediately suspend proposed changes to vital local bus services.

Cllr Max  Woodvine will ask Saddleworth Parish Council to endorse his motion at their full meeting at the month end.

He is targeting First Bus, Transport for Greater Manchester and relevant parties to halt changes to the 180 and 184 services.

His move comes after concerns were raised by the management team and Oldham Sixth Form College after  proposed new timetables which will see greatly reduced services.

Cllr Woodvine, who is 18, was elected as a conservative councillor  for Saddleworth,  and is himself a student at Msnchester Metropolitan University. 

He said: “The main aim is being to voice the opinions of Parish council  regarding the amended timetable but also to contribute constructively to the GM consultation on proposed bus services, to and from Saddleworth.

“I have proposed the motion because First Group have announced amendments to its service timetable which see the 180 and 184 services greatly reduced. 

“This decision by First will have a negative impact on the residents of Saddleworth villages - especially younger residents who use those services to travel from to school or college in Oldham.

“Many young people from Saddleworth are in education at Blue Coat School and OSFC.

 “The decision to reduce the frequency of these services will undoubtedly impact negatively on their attendance, punctuality, engagement and achievement in all villages served by the 180 and 184 bus services.”

“My constructive proposals to the consultation - which I hope the parish council  will adopt and put forward to First & TfGM - is to reroute the 180 and replace the 184 completely with the newly proposed 84 service.

“In my opinion the 180 should be for students and shoppers going to Oldham and the 84 should be for commuters and workers heading to Manchester, in a rush.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.