RESIDENTS are up in arms at plans to axe a popular bus route through Droylsden.
The No7 bus travels from Ashton to Stockport via Droylsden. It is a bus route that is both essential and also well used. Operators Stagecoach say the running of the number 7 that goes through the town has been adversely affected by work on the Metrolink so are asking users to give their views in an online questionnaire.
One of the options is to cut Droylsden out completely, the idea being to ‘alter the route to omit Droylsden by running via Ashton Old Road between Openshaw and Ashton.’ It is this option that the Droylsden councillors along with residents who use the bus are campaigning against.
The other two options are to cut the frequency of the bus or change the route through neighbouring Reddish. The company plan to implement one or more of the options.
On their website Stagecoach said: “Customers will be aware that our performance on this service has been adversely affected by roadworks in the Droylsden and Audenshaw areas, caused by construction of the new Metrolink line. As these works are set to continue for a further significant period of time, we have been looking at the options available to us to try to ensure that we can maintain an attractive and reliable service.”
Droylsden Councillor and Executive Council Leader, Cllr Kieran Quinn said: "Get on board to save popular bus service"
"It is really important that as many of our residents as possible take part in this consultation if they want this popular bus to remain coming through our town.
As Cllr Susan Quinn added “There is no point failing to take part then complaining if the service gets axed from Droylsden. I know it is very popular with our residents, so they need to let Stagecoach know as well. Remember Stagecoach may decide to implement more than one of the options and I’m sure that once the service has been cut we will find it extremely hard to get it back on track, even once the Metrolink is up and running.
In finishing Cllr Jim Middleton added “We are all aware that the construction work is causing problems for everyone who lives in the area, but that should not be used as an excuse to cut services to our town even more.”
Stagecoach plan to implement their changes from January 30 so residents should make their views known by then by clicking on: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=71D4VhehtwVK9Y6bT3Y1gA%3d%3d.
The above photo shows Cllrs Susan & Kieran Quinn with local residents who have petitioned Stagecoach to keep the No7 travelling through Droylsden.