BUSES could be rerouted to compensate for the controversial loss of services in Johnson Fold.

First Manchester will be removing the 519 and 520 services, which run from the Johnson Fold Estate to Bolton town centre, from Sunday.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition protesting the cuts. At a council meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Guy Harkin said that Greater Manchester transport bosses would be meeting with residents to address their concerns and will also meet with Stagecoach to see if they can change the route of one of their buses in the area.

He added that the loss of the First routes was an example of ‘the long shadow of Thatcherism still with us’.

Pete Hopkinson, of the In The Fold community group, said: “At this late stage any intervention would be great.

“First seems determined to put these changes through as fast as possible.

“Hopefully a solution can be found that is beneficial to the estate and the bus operators.

“We are delighted that Cllr Harkin agrees with us and we would love to meet with him to discuss it.”