Hopes for shuttle buses to connect Heywood

Following news that Heywood is set to see the reopening of the heavy rail line from Heywood to Manchester, via Castleton, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority are now looking at free shuttle buses from Heywood Railway Station to Heywood Town Centre.

Rochdale's Transport Boss, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, raised this at a recent meeting of the GMPTA and the authority will now look at the proposal in depth.

Councillor Ali said: "After the exciting news that the £25,000,000 link from Heywood to Manchester, via Castleton is now a reality we need to look at the long term future and how we link Heywood Station up to the Town Centre.

"I have been in regular contact with Councillor Peter Rush and it seems common sense that if the link reopens we need to provide shuttle buses. This will give Heywood the integrated transport system that Heywood deserves."

Councillor Peter Rush said: "What we are looking at doing is making huge improvements to public transport in Heywood. If our station reopens, we then need to look at improving access to the station. The fact that our transport bosses are looking at my idea seriously is great news.

"This is something that they are looking at in Rochdale and I don't see why Heywood public transport users should not have the same service. This will only be a reality if the people of Heywood vote 'yes' in December's crucial referendum."