I AM writing to thank the Bolton News for its story “Row over bus changes” Bolton News, July 18 and the support from Councillors Susan Howarth and David Chadwick, following changes to the 68, and the 571/572 daytime bus routes being withdrawn and replaced with a revised 519/520 services, between Great Lever and Johnson Fold, that came into force on July 19.

Having been advised the above routes are commercially run by the local bus operator First Bus Manchester, who have had to give the several weeks appropriate advance notice to the Traffic Commissionaire, however it is duly noted Transport for Greater Manchester were aware of the above changes, since they had all the revised details already printed, what has been most annoying is the lack of advance notice or consultation to the passengers who actually use these services.

This leaves me asking the planners at First Manchester, what they are thinking about for them to say “customers can still travel between Bolton and Farnworth using the 22, 501and 36 services." But what about passengers who actually want to get to the top of Bradford Road and Plodder Lane?

Perhaps First Bus would further kindly explain how they arrive to say “The revised changes to the 571/572 on the inbound from Great Lever will help customers get into the town centre in a more efficient way.” Do they not realise the inconvenience this has caused to passengers, especially such as the elderly or infirm, expecting them to walk from Moor Lane bus station since the new changes to the route will miss out on four stops, two in Bridgeman Street (for Sainsbury’s) one on Thynne Street (for the Railway Station) and Blackhorse Street (for Morrison's). I further understand the revised 519/520 service from Johnson Fold, up to Great Lever will not pull into the current Moor Lane bus station, but instead will use the stop on Blackhorse Street, outside the job centre, where there is no shelter. What happens if it rains?

An online petition has been set up to allow bus users to raise objections to the above unnecessary changes, go to https://www.change.org/p/transport-for-greater-manchester-give-bus-users-a-say-on-bus-changes-in-bolton or contact me on 01204 63578 mobile 07949128126.

Or write to the Operations Director, First Manchester Bus Depot, Weston Street, Bolton BL3 2LW. s, unfortunately, we don’t all own a car!

Preva Crossley

Bolton's Representative Gtr Manchester Transport Campaign

Great Lever