Councillor David Wilkinson outside Daisy Hill railway station

The timetable for the new Sunday service from Daisy Hill has been unveiled.

The service will run from Wigan to Manchester. It starts in May and is expected to run as a 12-month trial.

Westhoughton councillor David Wilkinson, who sits on Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA), supported the decision.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “I fully support this new service and I hope that Westhoughton residents will get behind the trial and make it a success.”

You can download the full timetable in PDF format by clicking here.

Our recent Focus article about the safety fears

SAFETY fears have been sparked at a number of Westhoughton locations.

Residents of the Wigan Road area have told how they fear crossing the road sometimes because of the heavy traffic.

Julia Silvester has asked the council to look into improving pedestrian safety.

The speed limit of 40mph at Hart Common is currently under review after a campaign by dedicated residents of that area.

It follows an accident in 2009 involving a youngster who was crossing at the Wearish Lane junction.

Julia said: “Heavy or speeding traffic can often be a problem in Westhoughton and we need to do what we can to tackle these issues.”

Traffic calming measures along The Hoskers have halted problems with speeding vehicles after a long-battle by residents and Julia’s team.

The crash scene on Church Street

A dramatic car crash has forced the closure of Church Street.

A woman was standing outside Rightstyle Fitted Bedrooms and Kitchens, in Church Street, at 5.45pm on Sunday when a driver lost control of his car.

The road may be closed until Thursday, we understand.

The shop was badly damaged after the car hit a supporting beam. The passerby was trapped under rubble and was released by firefighters who feared the building may collapse.

The 516/517 is being diverted along Market St/Bolton Rd/Manchester Rd and the 715 is missing out Church St and Market St whilst the road is closed.

The UK under a blanket of snow and ice. ource: University of Dundee. (Credit: NEODAAS/University of Dundee)

GMPTE is advising passengers to expect disruptions to public transport services to continue today, due to the severe frost.

Most bus services are operating, but main roads continue to be the best served routes. Metrolink services are running but with delays. Rail operators will continue to operate as full a service as possible.

Disruptions in Bolton include:

• 501 The service is currently operating one way only from moss bank way to Vernon st then normal route. Moss Bank – Farnworth journeys will operate normal route

• 510 The service is currently operating between Bury Interchange from 07:30 until 17:30 to Ainsworth Village, on an hourly frequency. Returning from Ainsworth village 8am hourly until 6pm

• 519 Operating between Moss Bank Way roundabout and Bolton only (currently unable to serve Johnson Fold)

• 561/2 Service is suspended until further notice.

• 575 Service is currently operating between Horwich The Crown and Bolton

• 597 Leigh to Leigh Sports Village Service currently suspended

This list was supplied by GMPTE at 8am on Saturday morning, and will be subject to change.

Bus passengers are advised to check the following websites:

www.arrivabus.co.uk

www.finglands.co.uk/

www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northwest/manchester/service_disruptions/

www.southlancs.com

www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdates.aspx

GMPTE has issued a series of bulletins with the latest travel updates, which we have been posting on this page.

Check back to our website throughout the day for more updates or go to www.gmpte.com

LATEST TRAVEL UPDATE

GMPTE is advising passengers to expect further disruptions to bus and tram services today due to the ongoing severe weather conditions.

Passengers should allow extra time for journeys and use main roads to access bus services.

A list of current known service information is available below. Passengers are also advised to check www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdates.aspx, www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northwest/manchester/service_disruptions/ and www.arrivabus.co.uk for service updates.

All Metrolink services are running to Piccadilly every 12 minutes. Passengers are advised to check www.metrolink.co.uk for the latest service information.

Rail passengers are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for service updates before travelling.

For the latest advice from Greater Manchester Police, log on to www.gmp.police.uk.

Bus services across Greater Manchester are continuing to suffer disruption due to adverse weather conditions. A list of the current disruptions and changes is given below. This is subject to change as more operators report in and others try to get some services on main roads restored.

First Manchester

Oldham depot: The following services are currently operating:

6 / 7 – now operating Rochdale to Kirkholt (The Strand)

24 – Rochdale to Manchester

56 – Rochdale to Middleton North Manchester General Hospital

58 – Rochdale to Middleton and Bury

59 – Shaw Wrens Nest (currently unable to serve Rushcroft) to Manchester (via Cheetham Hill Road not Waterloo Rd)

81 – Waterhead to Manchester (currently unable to serve Derker)

82/83 – Waterhead to Manchester

83 – Sholver to Oldham mumps (minibus shuttle operating every 15 minutes to provide a connection to the 82/83 to Manchester)

180 – Uppermill to Manchester (currently unable to serve Greenfield)

181/182 – Rochdale to Manchester

184 – Uppermill to Manchester

350 – currently not servicing Delph and Carrcote Estate

409 – Rochdale to Oldham and Ashton

425 – running from Oldham Mumps to Fitton Hill the Green

451 / 452 – operating from Rochdale to New Hey (unable to serve Bentgate, Two Bridges and Hurstead Estate)

454 / 457 – operating between Rochdale and Littleborough

X84 – evening service will operate but will be unable to serve Carrcote

Wigan depot: All services operating but on main roads only and not reaching side and estate roads.

32 – Wigan to Manchester (not operating via Castle Hill)

658 – service no longer serving Higher Folds Estate

625 / 626 – running main roads only. No longer serving the estates.

621 / 628 – running main roads only. No longer serving the estates.

Manchester depot: All services operating on main roads but unable to serve side and estate roads.

1 / 3 Metroshuttle – now operating normal service

2 Metroshuttle – (not serving Oxford Road Station)

27 – Manchester to Swinton (unable to serve Barton Road)

67 – Manchester to Cadishead (unable to serve Cadishead Estate)

67L – unable to serve Higher Irlam Estate

88 / 89 – Manchester to Whitemoss Circular (unable to serve Bankhouse Estate)

123/124 – terminating at Middleton and not operating around Langley

167 – not operating at present

Bury depot: All services running along main roads only.

163 – Bury to Manchester currently not serving Langley and Darnhill

93 – now operating normal service (unable to serve Carr Clough)

Bolton depot: The following services are operating

8 / 12 / 22 / 26 / 37 / 68 / 571 / 582 – all operating via normal routes

36 – currently not serving Madams Wood / Kenyon Way estates

501 – operating Bolton to Farnworth approx every 10 mins and Bolton to Moss Bank Way hourly

510 – Bury to Bolton not running

519 – Moss Bank Way roundabout to Bolton only (currently unable to service Johnson Fold)

533 – now running Bolton to Egerton

575 – Horwich Crown to Bolton

Dukinfield depot: The following services are now operating

38 / 39 – service currently suspended

183 – operating normal service

331 – operating out of Ashton via back of old Fire Station to Henrietta St

333 – normal route

332 – operating via Broadoak Road (instead of Hartshead Estate)

346 – operating normal service

348 – Ashton to Carrbrook (Buckton Vale Road)

350 – Ashton to Oldham operating via Bottom Mossley, Manchester Road to Royal George, then normal route to Oldham

350 – operating normal route with the exception of Carrcote and Delph

387 – operating from Hyde via Mottram Road (omitting Clarendon Rd, Sheffield Rd and Hattersley Estate omitting Ridge Hill)

389 – running normal route but not serving Yew Tree Lane / Lyne Edge

393 – operating via Old Fire Station, Henrietta St, Canterbury St to Broadoak Road and returning via 333 route (not serving Hartshead Estate

408 – running normal route to Crompton Way / Rochdale Road then directly to Shaw Wrens Nest only (not serving Buckstones)

419 – now operating Ashton to Middleton (normal route both directions)

Rossendale

11 – not serving Oakley

12 – not serving Hall Carr or Balladen

B4 – unable to operate due to parked cars on Thorn Bank

167 – unable to serve Norden – buses terminating at Woodyard Garage

244 – omitting Belthorn Village

273 – operating as normal

434 – not serving Hilltop Drive

440 – operating evening route to Syke Chapel

442 – omitting Medway and Marland Fold – Buses terminating at Bolton Road North

444 – terminating at Woodyard garage

446 – running evening 466 route through Shawclough – omitting estate roads

461 – main roads only (no Back ‘O’th’ Moss, Bury old Road, Elmsfield estate)

464 – operating as normal

475 – running Bury – Heywood only, omitting Topping Fold and Fairfield Hospital Grounds

476 – not serving Hunstanton Drive / Woodhill Rd, Fairfield Hospital Grounds, Terminating at Woodyard Garage

477 – not serving Nangreaves, Chesham, Summerseat or Nuttall Lane

480 – not serving Affetside, 273 route between Walves & Bradshaw

482 – operating but omitting Booth Crescent and part of Booth road

483 – not serving Fairfield Hospital Grounds, turning at Jericho

485 – not serving Tanners Brow or Peel Estate

Arriva

Bolton depot: All services running normally apart from the following

541 – terminating at Bromley Cross library

534/8 – terminating at Astley Bridge Pineapple

Wythenshawe depot: All services running normally apart from the following

13 – operating from Altrincham to Malton Road / Seamons Road

380/381/386 (Stockport) – Underhill, Goyt Valley, Ridgeway and Cherry Lane Estates not being served.

246 – operating to Bowden via Dunham Road and Park Road – then normal route to Altrincham (note: one-way only on Langham Road and Ashley Road so passengers from Altrincham will have to do full route)

247 – omitting Partington, Wood Lane Estate

ML1 – operating between Stretford Arndale and Manchester

Manchester depot: All services running normally apart from the following

10 – running but cannot serve Brookhouse

69/70/71/73 – Eccles services running (main roads only)

Skelmersdale depot: Currently operating no services

St Helens depot: is operating services to Wigan (but severely delayed)

156 – operating normal route but not serving Ashtons Green Estate

320 – operating normal service

352 – operating normal service

620 – operating normal service

34 – now operating full service

Stagecoach

Hyde Road depot:

42 – usual Route

42A – no service to Millgate Lane, otherwise as usual

50 – terminating at Albert Square

x57 – usual route

74 – usual route except not serving Woodhouses Estate

76 – usual route except not serving Limeside

142/143/145 – usual route

168 – not serving Longsight entre & North Moor Road/Stovell Avenue or Clockhouse Estate

169 – normal route except operating via Oldham Roadinstead of Taunton Road into Centre of Ashton

171 – service operating between Chatsworth Road and Withington. Operating direct along Mount Road. No service to Millgate lane or Ryder Brow

191 – terminating at Albert Square

192 – usual route

197 – terminating at Albert Square

201 – using Mottram Road to Stockport Road instead of Hattersley estate

203 – usual route

204 – operating Manchester to Haughton Green only

205 – usual route

206 – usual route except not serving Haughton Green

216 – usual route

219 – usual route

220 – usual route

221 – not serving Yew Tree Lane or Tennyson Avenue Estates.

231 – operating normal route between Manchester, Littlemoss and New Market Road. Then direct via Oldham Road into Ashton and Tameside Hospital. Not serving Broadoak, Hartshead or Hurst

Princess Road depot:

256 – now running normal route

255 – now operating through to the Greyhound at Partington (but not serving estates)

104 – now running normal route

105 – now running as 43 service from Sharston to Wythenshawe Bus Station then normal route to airport

109 – now running normal route

43 – normal to Airport

101 – now running normal route

143/142 – normal

X50/250 – normal

111 – running but not serving Moss Lane East, Claremont Road, Yew Tree Road, Burton Road & Barlow Moor Road

15 – running normal route but not serving Broadway

84 – running normal route but not serving Arrowfield Road

85/86 – now running normal route

41 – normal

46/47 – not serving Burton Rd

Stockport depot:

179 – now running normal route

317 – operating but not servicing St Petersgate, High Street, Wellington Street, Half Moon Lane and Crosswaite Road Offerton – subject to delays

All other services operating normally.

Ashton depot:

7 – normal route

216 – Normal route

217/218 – terminating Stalybridge/Tameside Hospital not serving Brushes estate or Mossley

236 – normal route

237 – running as 236 to Henry St not serving Royal oak Tintwhistle or Hadfield

330 – normal

345 – normal

346 – service now running between Ashton and Hyde – not serving Gee Cross

347 – normal

375 – terminating at Mellor, Devonshire Arms, not serving Shiloh Road

389 – suspended

390 – now operating normal service

JP Travel

All services are running with the following exceptions:

13/129 – suspended

156 – operating as normal but not serving Langley

406 – expected to start 0930 and not serve Park Estate

486 – suspended

South Lancs Travel

126 – normal service

132 – normal service

300 – running normal service but with delays

514 – will not serve Ladybridge and terminate at Parklands (not operating via Middlebrook)

516 – will not serve Washacre or Middlebrook and will terminate at Horwich Crown (all journeys will run as 516 – no 517s)

521 – running from A6 / M61 roundabout to Farnworth

592 – running normally but not serving Shakerley or Hag Fold

614 – operate direct via main road to Cale Lane

624 – operate to Worsley Hall only – turning at Sherwood Drive

630 – Wigan – Platt Bridge only – but not serving the estates

635 – operating normally Wigan to Randalls Corner (Booths Oil Depot)

638 / 639 – operating Wigan to Standish Pepper Lane

640 / 641 – operating Wigan to Standish Pepper Lane

654 – operating from Leigh to Walkden only, and will not serve Garrett Hall Estate

664/674 – operating Wigan-Worsley Hall only

685 – operating normally but not serving Shakerley and will not operate around Garrett Hall estate

686 – will terminate at Atherton (not serving Hag Fold)

Bluebird

72 – service running part route from Chadderton – Manchester

77 – running full route

78 – running as normal (with delays) but may terminate at Day drive

112 – running partial route Middleton – Manchester (via main roads only)

151 – running partial route from Newton Heath to Monsall

159 – running partial route Middleton – Oldham

181/182 – running partial route Manchester – Chadderton

188 – running partial route Whitemoss – Manchester

Maytree Travel

505 – Horwich running but not serving Markland Hill, Brazley and Pennine Rd. The 505 – to Markland Hill only will not operate.

553/559 – missing Willows Lane/Deane Church Lane

526/544/550/557 – suspended

525/527 – running but not serving Smithills or Hall I’th Wood Estate

512/513 – operating but not serving Farnworth Train Station, Hulme Rd, Folds Rd and Park Lane

Speedwell

S50 – normal route

341 – not serving Gamesly

342 – suspended

343 – suspended

344 – suspended

Checkmate

220 – now operating

345 – suspended

418 – not serving Cooper Street

Belle Vue Coaches

277 – not operating

Jim Stones

587 – service operating normally but not serving Hurst Street

590 – service operating normally but not serving Kings Avenue

682 – service operating normally not serving Oxford Road Loop

All other services running normally.

Bu-Val

All services running via main roads only.

Goodwins

285 / 286 – services suspended

Strawberry Bus

1 – not serving Orrell and Upholland

Stotts

41 – serving main roads only

337 – not serving Tennyson Avenue

364 – not serving Bosden farm

407 – serving main Ripponden Road only

First West Yorkshire

590 – Halifax to Rochdale running normal service

Wigan Bus

All services operating (main roads only)

Cllr David Wilkinson outside Daisy Hill railway station

A new trial Sunday service is to be launched on the line that runs through Daisy Hill railway station.

The proposed service, operated by Northern Rail, would run hourly during the day on Sundays, with the last train departing from Manchester shortly after 6pm. Trains will run between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria, via Atherton and Walkden. It will be funded by the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) for a year before being reviewed.

The service is something Westhoughton South ward councillor David Wilkinson has been campaigning on for a number of years.

Cllr Wilkinson, who sits on the ITA, said: “This is fantastic news and it has received my full support. Now we need everyone to throw their support behind the trial and use it to its full potential.”

“Residents will now have the opportunity to enjoy Sunday rail travel. This will bring to an end an anomaly in that the Daisy Hill line is currently the only line in Greater Manchester without a Sunday service.”

Is 40mph too much for Hart Common?

The Council is to assess whether the 40mph speed limit through Hart Common is too much.

It follows calls from the Liberal Democrat team for additional safety measures to be explored.

It comes after a young boy was knocked down further up the road at the Wigan Road / Wearish Lane junction.

Many Hart Common residents believe this is the time to act and reduce the speed limit to bring it down to 30mph.

Liberal Democrat councillor Julia Silvester welcomed the news that a speed survey is to be carried out. She said: “We are pleased that we have been able to organise a speed survey after residents’ requests.”

The Lib Dem team has asked for this to be carried out as soon as possible, so the Council has agreed that the survey will be carried out from 2nd November, after the school holidays.

Councillor Julia Silvester at the traffic lights funded by the Liberal Democrat-controlled town council at the time

Labour blunders have led to the traffic speeding chaos that we have on Wigan Road today, says a leading councillor.

Ward councillor David Wilkinson has blasted the Labour administration of years-gone-by for continuing to allow housing developments in Daisy Hill without any regard for improvement to the highway infrastructure on Wearish Lane and Wigan Road. He said: “They continued to let more and more houses go up, which has put increasing pressure on this hotspot.”

Things came to a head nine years ago when there was a massive pile-up of cars along the stretch of Wigan Road that has been brought to the forefront recently after an accident involving an 11-year-old boy. Cllr Wilkinson recalls seeing car parts strewn across the road in the pile-up: “That was a pretty dramatic turn of events, which motivated the Liberal Democrat controlled town council at the time to pay for new traffic lights at the junction.”

Councillor David Wilkinson who has revealed Labour's blunders

At the time the town council had demanded that Bolton Council take action, but the pleas were ignored, and they went ahead to fund the scheme themselves.

But later, when a similar scheme to build a new pelican crossing on Church Street outside the doctors surgery was put forward, the Labour-run administration refused to back it. It was only when the Liberal Democrats took control of Bolton Council that the plan was given the green light.

Cllr Wilkinson added: “What has happened with the junction at Wigan Road has echoes all around the town, in particular of the events over Church Street. Bolton’s Labour-run Council has been quick to allow more houses, but they are not so forthcoming when it comes to improving pedestrian and highway safety.”

Councillor Julia Silvester at the Wigan Road junction

Westhoughton Liberal Democrats would like to make the following statement:

“On Friday 11 September there was a terrible accident involving an 11 year old boy and a car on Wigan Road at the Wearish Lane junction.

Due to an accident investigation being undertaken by the police, Liberal Democrat Councillors David Wilkinson and Julia Silvester have asked the accident report is made available as soon possible to see what extra measures can be taken to improve road safety.

If there are any extra road safety measures that can be put in place then we will push Bolton Council to implement them as soon as possible. This may include extending the 30 mph zone right through to the Westhoughton/Hindley boundary at Marsh Brook.

At this moment no details on the cause of the  accident have been released by Greater Manchester Police or Bolton Council and we feel it would be inappropriate to make any wild speculations into the reasons for the accident or any possible solutions.

We wish the young boy a speedy recovery with his family.”

Ends.

Julia Silvester at the Wearish Lane junction

Your councillor, Julia Silvester, has told of her shock at learning that a driver feedback sign at Wearish Lane was damaged and all the important information regarding traffic speeds has been LOST.

It comes at a sensitive time, when one local boy was hit by a passing vehicle on Wigan Road. Residents are demanding action over the situation with speeding vehicles, and generally fast-flowing traffic at this danger spot.

The feedback sign, which was placed on Wearish Lane as a temporary measure, warns drivers of their speed, but also collects vital traffic information for highway engineers who consider future traffic safety plans.

Warning sign at Wearish Lane

But after making enquiries about the device, Liberal Democrat Julia Silvester has learnt that a wreckless individual has damaged the camera and all of the information it had been recording was lost, and the sign was not functioning correctly. Now it has since moved on to Hartford Road.

However, the situation at the junction has got so bad that the road safety partnership has recommended the use of a mobile speed camera and a location for its use on Wearish Lane is being looked into.

Julia said: “I am absolutely appalled that somebody has put other people’s lives at risk because they damaged the sign. It was put in place for a reason – to encourage drivers to think twice about their speed, collect vital information for future safety measures, and to generally help in making the road safer for pedestrians.”

“I had asked the Council how long it would be before the sign could be returned to the road because I am concerned that we need to take action now in light of what has happened recently,” she added.

Julia had also requested that the sign be positioned on the site that it has moved to because of similar problems with traffic speeds.