Local MP Robert Largan has called for the reinstatement of the 236 bus service, in light of a High Court ruling last week which confirmed that Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham’s proposals for bus franchising can go ahead.
The loss of the 236 bus service between Glossop and Ashton has left people in Glossop, Hadfield, and Gamesley without a direct bus route to Tameside Hospital or Ashton College.
Under the Greater Manchester Franchising Scheme, the region will operate the first regulated bus system outside of London since the 1980s. Mr Burnham has also pledged to cap the cost of bus tickets at £2 for adults and £1 for children.
Towns outside Greater Manchester, like Glossop, Hadfield, and New Mills rely heavily on cross-border bus services.
Mr Largan, who is campaigning for better local bus services, has committed to working with the Mayor of Greater Manchester to ensure surrounding communities like the High Peak benefit from these changes.
The Government’s new £3 billion National Bus Strategy will help create faster, quicker, and cleaner bus journeys. The Government will ensure both private bus operators and Local Traffic Authorities are brought together in either an Enhanced Partnership or through franchising agreements.
Last year in Parliament, Robert called on the transport minister to work with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Derbyshire County Council to ensure places like High Peak can benefit from the new bus franchising scheme.
Last night in Parliament, Mr Largan repeated this call and presented his long-running petition to the House of Commons, which has been signed by 750 local people so far.
Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, said:
“I disagree with Andy Burnham on several things, but I’m entirely behind his proposals to bring the region’s bus services back under public control.
“I’m determined to make sure that we take use this opportunity to improve cross-border bus services between High Peak and Greater Manchester as part of the plans.
“In particular, we badly need to reinstate the 236 bus in Glossop and get a direct bus route to Tameside Hospital and Ashton College again.”
