CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle to have a bus stop returned to its original spot after it was moved 150 yards without them being consulted.

Residents living in the Tagwood estate had launched a petition, collecting around 50 names, to oppose the relocation of the bus stop opposite Alfred Street in Bolton Road West.

Its new home is alongside a playing field with no shelter and the extra walking distance is causing problems for residents, many of whom are elderly or with disabilities and have trouble with the incline.

Residents were furious they had not been included in the consultation which did not extend beyond Bolton Road West.

With the help of Ramsbottom councillor Barry Theckston, they submitted the petition to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) who promised to look in to the matter again with police, area councillors and highways officers.

However, at last week's Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Area Board, it was confirmed the bus stop is staying where it is.

Tom Melbourne, from GMPTE, attended the meeting and explained to residents the bus stop had been moved following a request from the police in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour caused by large groups of youths congregating there at weekends.

He said: "On certain nights, gangs would congregate and make everybody's life hell within 50 to 60 yards of the stop - plus there was a safety issue with so many people on the pavement, most of whom would spill onto the road.

After the stop had been moved, the issue of anti-social behaviour had decreased significantly, and therefore it is going to stay."

The news was welcomed by Bolton Road West residents who claimed mobs of 40 youths would regularly be outside their homes with people using their windows as mirrors and even their gardens as a lavatory.

But Coun Theckston said: "This has inconvenienced a lot of elderly people by moving the bus stop and it beggars belief that they had all this consultation and still didn't see a problem."

It was agreed that the new bus stop would be put on a GMPTE deferred list for a shelter.