Lib-Dems hit out after Saddleworth bus services are scrapped

Despite strong and repeated representations from Saddleworth Liberal Democrats, Transport for Greater Manchester have gone ahead with cuts to subsidised bus services in Saddleworth.

The 353, 354 and 355 buses have been scrapped and partially replaced by the 356 Saddleworth Rambler, but it will no longer be serving Greenfield Station.

It has been rerouted from Uppermill along Bridge Street, Carr Lane, Queensway, Wellington Road, Chew Valley Road, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Church Road and High Grove Road to Mossley Road and then to Top Mossley and Ashton.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North Garth Harkness said: “The Saddleworth Rambler has proven highly successful and I am proud to have been part of the project which introduced it.

"This came out of a detailed piece of work around transport needs in Saddleworth.

"I raised these latest concerns but was told it would not be as bad as we think.

"I was given reassurances and now it is worse as the new route won’t serve the train station - one of it’s key purposes.”

In many cases important clusters of population will have no service and the new links are poor in comparison.

Former Council leader and transport professor, Dr Richard Knowles, said: “Hundreds of people living in three large areas of Delph and Uppermill will lose all their bus services: the Palinwood Road/Delph Lane area in Delph, Wellmeadow estate/Church Road and Grove Road/Rush Hill Road areas of Uppermill.

"The TfGM Committee report when they approved these bus cuts made no mention of the 356 Saddleworth Rambler no longer serving Greenfield Station or the huge number of residents who would lose all of their bus services."

The Oldham/Denshaw 407 bus service is also being replaced by the 356 which will operate from Oldham to Ashton via Denshaw, Delph, Dobcross, Diggle, Uppermill, the edge of Greenfield, Friezland and Top Mossley.

A spokesperson for TfGM said: “It is vital that we strike a balance with TfGM-funded services, ensuring we serve as many people as possible and maintain vital transport links – while also ensuring we provide value to the taxpayer and deliver in the most cost-effective way.

“By introducing the changes to the Saddleworth Rambler, we are looking to build on the success of the service by improving and expanding links, simplifying the local network and reducing duplication.

“Reducing the service from four vehicles to three - one 15 seater and two 21 seaters - should strike the required balance between the capacity and the manoeuvrability of the vehicle given the rural nature of the area served these buses.

“While we are confident that the revised services will meet demand in the long term, it’s important to reiterate that people should currently only be travelling if absolutely essential due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Anyone requiring further support, particularly those needing to make essential journeys such as NHS staff and key workers, should contact TfGM Customer Services on 0161 244 1000 or email: customer.relations@tfgm.com

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