Councillors fight to save vital local bus service

Councillor Phil Burke

Councillors are fighting to save a key bus service that links Heywood and Middleton with Manchester and Bury.

The drive was launched by dismayed Rochdale Borough Council members after Diamond Buses confirmed it would be withdrawing its 163 bus service from 16 April.

Read more: Upcoming changes to local bus routesPublished: 11 January 2023

The service currently runs every 12 minutes throughout the daytime, connecting Heywood, Langley and Middleton with Bury town centre and Manchester city centre, and at weekends, and is a vital public transport link for hundreds of people living and working in the borough of Rochdale.

The service also runs through some areas with the lowest levels of car ownership in Greater Manchester.

Councillor Phil Burke, the council’s transport spokesman, said: “The 163 bus is a popular and well-known service that provides an important link for hundreds of residents living in Heywood and Middleton.

“I am dismayed at the decision, which will increase social isolation, reduce connectivity and impact older and vulnerable people the most. This short-sighted move will leave only one daytime bus service between Heywood and Manchester and no buses directly linking Bury with Middleton.”

He added: “I know from speaking with residents in my Langley ward how vital the 163 bus is for people getting to work, catching up with friends or going on their weekly shop.

“I have urgently raised this issue with Transport for Greater Manchester to call for action to be taken to safeguard the service, which is one of the busiest run by Diamond Buses, and provides such an important lifeline for so many people.”