Bus stations and super shelters to go smoke-free from 1 July

Middleton Bus Station to go smoke free on 1 July

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All bus stations and ‘super shelters’ in Greater Manchester will go smoke-free when the national smoking ban comes into force on 1 July. This means that on 1 July Rochdale and Middleton bus stations will become no smoking zones both inside the stations and in outdoor areas.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) owns 20 bus stations throughout the region and operates the station at Manchester Airport. The PTE is now advising bus passengers how the changes to the law will affect them.

GMPTE’s Interim Service Delivery Director, Michael Renshaw, said: “Smoking is already banned in the enclosed areas of the newer bus stations around Greater Manchester at Eccles, Hyde, Manchester Airport, Middleton, Oldham and Shudehill. But from 1 July we are extending this ban to all stations, indoors and out.

“The law states that the ban will apply in ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed’ public places – but we are going a step further and introducing a total ban on all of our premises, which includes the outdoor areas of bus stations.

“The ban will also apply at the seven ‘super shelters’ in Eccles, Atherton, Stockport and Manchester city centre. I’m sure that many bus passengers will welcome and benefit from these changes.”

The majority of the 4000 smaller bus shelters in Greater Manchester are not classed as ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed’ so the ban won’t apply at these shelters.

From 1 July, people smoking on public transport or in smoke-free premises could be given an on-the-spot fine of up to £50 or a possible £200 fine if it goes to court.

The bus stations that will become smoke free on 1 July are: Altrincham, Ashton, Bolton Interchange, Bolton Moor Lane, Bury, Chorlton, Farnworth, Leigh, Radcliffe, Rochdale, Southern Cemetery (Princess Road, Manchester), Stalybridge, Stockport, Wigan and Wythenshawe.

Super shelters are located at Mealhouse Lane and Market Street in Atherton, Regent Street in Eccles, two on the A6 in Stockport town centre and two on the approach to Manchester Piccadilly Rail station.