Rochdale Youth Council Leader highlights local school bus timetable concerns for Middleton and Heywood students

As the Rochdale Leader for Youth Council UK, I recently formally contacted Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Bee Network to raise urgent concerns regarding the timetable of the Service 781 school bus.

This service is scheduled to arrive at the stop opposite Langley Lane at 14:59, exactly one minute before Edgar Wood Academy finishes its school day at 15:00. This timing leaves a completely impractical and unsafe margin for pupils attempting to leave school and board the vehicle safely, resulting in unnecessary travel stress for local families.

I have received a formal response from Martin Shier, Head of Bus Network Design and Operations at TfGM. While they acknowledged the feedback, they clarified that Service 781 is a dedicated service primarily designed to align with Cardinal Langley School, Holy Family RC & CE College, St Anne's Academy, and Newhouse Academy. TfGM stated that altering this particular service would cause a negative knock-on effect and potential overcrowding on those respective school routes. Consequently, they do not intend to retime Service 781.

However, TfGM did highlight that they have specifically introduced Service 163A to support Edgar Wood Academy students. This service runs a very similar route to Hopwood, Heywood, Bamford, and Norden, and departs from Windermere Road (opposite Wood Street) at 15:30.

While it is positive that a senior-level review took place and an alternative service is available, the voices of our young people must remain at the forefront of local infrastructure planning. I have also been in communication with my former headteacher, Mr. Paul Jones, to keep our local schools fully informed of these developments.

I want to assure the community that the Youth Council remains firmly committed to advocating for the interests of young people on local, regional, and national issues. We will continue to closely monitor passenger demand and push for transport solutions that genuinely reflect the practical needs of all students in Middleton and Rochdale.

Yours faithfully,

Daniel Murphy Rochdale Leader, Youth Council UK