Down To The Park: Walkden Gardens, Sale

The start of a new series that looks at Greater Manchester’s parks and gardens

At this moment in time, this pandemic is (hopefully) coming to an end. We are still encouraged to practice social distancing and try not to use public transport for non-essential travel. The message of “Hands, Faces, Space, and Fresh Air” and the lighter nights make trips to the park most favourable.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Autumn 2017

Trunk bus routes revert to schooldays timetable, whereas slimline Saddleworth Sunday route replaces two services

No change for the 409 service, loading at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station.

This autumn, Saddleworth passengers will be seeing the most fundamental service changes, thanks largely to departmental spending cuts affecting TfGM. In place of Sunday and Bank Holiday journeys on the 353 and 354 services, there will be a brand new route. On the plus side, another journey option for the people of Denshaw. On the minus side is a more modest frequency and some changes affecting the more southerly parts of Saddleworth.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, Autumn 2017

School day timetables restored plus some changes to Stalybridge routes

Back to normal: the 216 route, outside Ashton bus station.

• First Greater Manchester withdraws Stalybridge journeys on 408 route;
• Sunday and Bank Holiday journeys of 353 and 354 withdrawn and replaced by new 355 service;
• Plus the usual minor changes, and details of services reverting to school day timetables.

This Autumn’s set of changes make for mixed reading in the borough. Unless you live in Stalybridge or the Roughtown area of Mossley. Both areas are at the sharpest end of cuts to tendered and commercial services from the 03 September.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Summer 2017

Summer bussing, slightest of changes 

Not in the Summer Timetable: the 409 service, loading at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station.

For once, a quiet set of service changes affecting Oldham and Saddleworth bus passengers. This time, just a few tweaks to the summer timetables. Some more First Greater Manchester routes will be seeing a few tweaks, including the 58 and 81A.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, Summer 2017

Summertime timetables and a subtle service review

The normal bus of choice on the 216 route, outside Ashton bus station.

For the first time in a good while, we have little to say about this summer’s set of service changes. All but one set of service changes entail the Summer timetables.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, April 2017

FirstGroup reorganisation and tender changes behind latest updates 

Back on the Denshaw route: Stagecoach Manchester have regained the 407 service at the expense of Rosso – though with a reduced timetable. This image taken in 2015 shows one of their buses on a Bank Holiday Monday journey.

This month will see a few tender changes, albeit with some drastic cuts to their journeys. The already bricked-to-the-point-of-uselessness 408 service will take a battering for one. As for wanting a late night pint at The Fleece Inn in Mossley, you can forget that unless the 350 bus or County Cars forms part of your plans.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, January 2017

FirstGroup retime journeys following consultation events 

The 409 to Rochdale: one of a few Oldham and Rochdale bound services covered by FirstGroup’s retiming exercise.

If you’ve ever tried catching the 409 in the evening peak, it can be quite a chore. At about half five, you would have had your fill of late buses, missing journeys, and packed vehicles. In this set month’s set of changes, could Oldham and Saddleworth passengers be benefiting from the results of FirstGroup’s consultation?

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Autumn 2016

Diggle cuts going ahead

Back to school times: the 409 service and other trunk routes operated by First Greater Manchester.

As reported in the summertime bulletin, the 184 service will no longer serve Diggle, Old Station Turning. Apart from the cessation of the summertime schedules and the 184 service, everything is quiet in Oldham and Saddleworth, give or take some route changes.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, Autumn 2016

Changes marked by Bowles’ parting shot over traffic

I Should Solo: a fairly rare Stagecoach Manchester Optare Solo on the 340 service to Oldham (diverted that day due to Whit Friday).

For once, Autumn’s bus service changes are a little quiet. There has been no real shocks to the Tameside bus network (they’ll probably seen in October’s changes, closer to Hallowe’en). As usual, most of the services which have had summer timetables, will revert to their non-summer times.

Go Cheapway… to Royton

A look at the small town along the 409 bus route

In Transition: though of a compact size, Royton town centre has a lot to offer. Image by Jeremy Sutcliffe (Creative Commons License – Some Rights Reserved).

The last five years have seen some upheaval for Royton. Some of which has been consistent with many small towns throughout the UK: bank closures, pub closures, and the rise of online shopping. Since 2012, issues of a Roytonian nature have affected the town’s shopping centre.