Petition to reinstate Drake Street bus stops is gathering pace

A petition to reinstate bus stops on Drake Street is under way and is gathering significant pace within the town.

The petition, which has been started up by local businesses and headed up by café owner Shelly Buxton, is currently over four pages long and is expected to gain even more support over the next few days.

Lawrence Glendinning, who helped to start the petition, said: “We have had a lot of support from people about this and we can see the petition really starting to pick up pace in the community.”

Lawrence and those behind the petition want to see the bus stops on Drake Street reinstated after they were removed due to the Metrolink work.

Lawrence added: “We thought that they would be removed for the Metrolink work and then put back but they never were and we think that they should still be there.”

There are two petitions: one is located in Shelly B’s Café on Drake Street and a second is located in Gregory Couzens Hair Salon on The Walk.

It is hoped that the petition will encourage those responsible to erect at least one bus stop on Drake Street. “If we can get one for now then that would be great. Then we can work on getting a second stop so there is one on either side of the street,” said Lawrence.

Lawrence has also been in contact with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) about the bus stops and has since heard that TfGM representatives have visited local businesses within the area regarding the bus stops.

Lawrence added: “A lot of the businesses have really headed up this petition. They feel that they are missing out by losing the bus stops.”

The group has also researched every aspect of bringing back the bus stops including how much they would cost and where they would fit best.

The petitions, which were started on Saturday 15 February, will be running for a week and those responsible hope to gain as many signatures and supporters as possible. The petitions will then be presented to the relevant departments within Rochdale Council as well as TfGM.

Lawrence added: “People often have to walk from the bus station on Smith Street up Drake Street, and it is all up hill.

"We have seen a call for these bus stops and think they should be brought back.”