Debbie praises commitment to resolving Diggle bus service issue
Debbie Abrahams MP
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has praised the commitment of local residents, councillors and bus companies for working together to find a solution to the cuts of the 184 Diggle service.
Local resident Liz Redfearn arranged a meeting in Uppermill to discuss the changes to the 184 service which would have affected children getting to school in Oldham.
At the meeting it was announced that from September the 558 bus will go to Blue Coat School via Diggle and Dobcross at 7.30am. Also, from September the Y23 school bus will leave from Blue Coat School to Diggle via Dobcross at 15.35 arriving at 16.10.
Debbie said: “Many constituents have contacted me with their concerns about how these proposed changes would have affected children and young people getting to school and college.
“Also the danger of cuts to services like these is that it’s not just those trying to get to school or hospital, or going into town for social reasons that are being affected; it’s the old, disabled and vulnerable people, and those without their own means of transport, who can become isolated.
“But I’m glad to say we seem to have reached a reasonable solution, especially for students, and I will continue to listen to constituents who may still have concerns about reduced bus services.
“I say well done to Liz and other local residents for their hard work and also to local councillors, the bus companies and TFGM for their input and commitment to finding a solution. It just shows what you can do when you work together!”
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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It is commendable that Debbie Abrahams has helped to resolve issues for students regarding the curtailing of the 184 bus into parts of Diggle, but that does not address the needs of elderly residents who will now have a fair walk to get the Huddersfield bus from the area around Kilngreen. When the turning circle there became an issue, no one seemed bothered about sorting out the problems, and I personally suspect that was because it had always been intended that the buses were going to be stopped coming along Sam Road, and they could use this as a reason to discontinue the buses. The issue now is that when we have snow, it will be even worse for people trying to get out of Diggle. How long before the decision is made to bypass Diggle all together and take the bus over Standedge? I am sure that may be something considered for the future. Maybe what is needed is a “local” type small bus service for the villages, one that will go via Diggle, Dobcross, Delph and Denshaw, then back to Uppermill. What we need is some lovely entrepreneur who would be prepared to run a service that meets the needs of people, and not shareholders. Rant over!