SIXTEEN bus service journeys were cut short on Saturday after a group of youths starting throwing bricks at vehicles.

Vision Bus’ 502 and 503 services in Bolton were changed to avoid going through Johnson Fold after a report was made from a driver at around 3.15pm that several youths were hurling bricks at buses on Montserrat Road.

The operator made the decision to terminate both of the services at a roundabout in Doffcocker instead of driving through Johnson Fold and risking more attacks from the group of yobs.

In a post on social media, Vision explained the reason behind the route change.

Vision said: “Due to a large group of youths throwing bricks at vehicles at Johnson Fold, the day's remaining trips of the 502 and 503 will not serve Johnson Fold.

“Sorry for the inconvenience but safety is our utmost concern.”

Driver supervisor Chris Smith was working on Saturday when the incident was raised and highlighted the danger it could have caused.

He said: “We estimate that seven or eight youths were throwing bricks at the buses.

“It was happening on Montserrat Road in Johnson Fold.

“Bricks being thrown at buses could kill somebody or blind them if they break the window and go through.

“I am not aware of any complaints about the changes but there may have been because of the inconvenience caused.

“It took the residents in Johnson Fold a while to get a service that goes to Chorley Old Road which came in September 2019 after the old 519 was cancelled.”

Unfortunately this was not an isolated incident.

Vision say instances of people throwing bricks at their buses happens frequently.

“We get it quite often and not just in Johnson Fold”, Mr Smith added.

“I think they are just bored but if I was bored I wouldn’t be throwing bricks at buses.”

The incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police.

If you have any information about the group who threw the bricks contact police on 101.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.