The timetable has now been confirmed for the restored extension of the 185 bus service.

After High Peak Buses decided to reduce the service and cut off Harpur Hill earlier in the year, due to falling passenger numbers due to a period of disruption caused by driver shortages and congestion from the many roadworks around Buxton, Mr Largan launched a petition to save the 185/186 bus with Councillor Linda Grooby and Councillor Kev Kirkham, which hundreds of local people signed.

This led to High Peak Buses eventually agreeing to continue the service between Fairfield and the Market Place. However, they went ahead and cut off Harpur Hill and Buxton Hospital from the bus route.

After a continuing campaign from Mr Largan and the local councillors to push for the restoration of services to Buxton Hospital and Harpur Hill, Mr Largan worked with Derbyshire County Council to secure £47million of Government funding for a local Bus Improvement Plan.

Derbyshire County Council confirmed that the funding would include an allocation to restore the 185 service to Harpur Hill and have now released the timetable for the restored extension.

The extended cross-town service will start from 24 July and will run regularly between Fairfield, Buxton town centre, Buxton Hospital and Harpur Hill between 8am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:

“It’s really great to see the 185 bus being restored to Harpur Hill following our successful, resident-led campaign.

“Harpur Hill should never have been cut off. I am glad that the newly released timetable incorporates a regular, fluent service to residents who dearly need it.

“Cutting off Harpur Hill was a short-sighted decision, given all the new houses being built in the area and the planned relocation of Aldi from Buxton town centre up to Harpur Hill.

“This is great news for the residents of Fairfield, Harpur Hill and Buxton as a whole. I want to thank all of the residents who have backed our campaign and made this possible!