Robert Largan MP has launched a Whaley Bridge Shop Local Campaign.

Mr Largan is launching the campaign to encourage people to support local businesses in Whaley Bridge, while Network Rail have closed Buxton Road, cutting the town in two.

The road is now fully closed to traffic until 31st March 2023, and will be closed for pedestrians for just seven school days between 16th February and 6th March 2023, down from the original proposal of four weeks.

Pedestrians will be able to use a diversion through Whaley Bridge Memorial Park during the closure of the footway.

Residents will be able to catch a shuttle bus at any point between now and 31st March 2023 to connect them to either side of the bridge.

This will be a free service and will stop at all existing stops on the route around the diversion, linking also with the stops of the 199 service. It will run every hour, from 6am to 9pm from the Whaley Bridge railway station to Whaley Bridge Primary School, and from 6:30am to 9:30pm from the school to the station.

Passengers can view the real time position of the bus (Route WBR - Whaley Bridge, Railway Station - Whaley Bridge, Primary School) here: www.highpeakbuses.com/bus-tracker/

There will be no trains running past Hazel Grove station between 17 February and 28 February 2023. This means that stations past Hazel Grove, including New Mills Newtown, Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Dove Holes and Buxton will be affected.

Businesses will also be severely impacted by the closure, especially those South of the bridge like Horwich End Post Office.

Mr Largan has raised concerns with Network Rail, Derbyshire County Council, High Peak Borough Council and High Peak Buses, urging support to be provided to affected businesses.

He is now launching his Whaley Bridge Shop Local Campaign, which seeks to encourage the community to support our local Whaley Bridge businesses, and make use of the free shuttle service connecting both sides of the bridge.

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:

“I’m really pleased that this free shuttle bus has now been established, after I demanded that Network Rail, Derbyshire County Council and High Peak Buses come to the table.

“We now have a connection for those on foot and those who utilise public transport, so it would be great if everyone could make a big effort to shop local whilst the closure is active and support our local businesses.

“This will be a difficult few weeks for everyone in Whaley Bridge, but the concessions secured through our dialogue are really helpful and I encourage everyone to back my campaign and shop local!"