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.
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.”
Man charged in relation to Heywood incident
Town centre crackdown uncovers illegal trading and unsafe properties in Rochdale
Oldham man says cancer charity support helped rebuild his life alongside NHS care
Local election candidate fuming over his name being spelt wrong
The town with a solution to their traffic problem
Local Elections 2026: What every party in Rochdale has to offer ahead of local elections
Family secures £16200 key worker support to move into new home in Bury
Four men charged after incident at Rochdale AFC match against York City
KYP Easter programme brings creative activities and healthy meals to Rochdale children
Middleton widow appeals for answers after husband dies from asbestos related cancer
Man in his 20s fighting for life after Royton crash as police urge witnesses to come forward
Fun five-days in Spain boosted the confidence of high school students ahead of their Spanish exams
