A FAIR DEAL FOR HOPWOOD: TIME FOR A DIRECT BUS.

28 Mar 2026

For Hopwood residents public transport is falling far short. Reaching care, work or education should not feel like a daily obstacle course, yet that is the reality many face.
A trip to Rochdale Infirmary means three buses and close to an hour each way, even on a good day, similarly travelling to North Manchester General Hospital often requires a change in Middleton, adding stress for patients, carers and NHS staff.

Iain Donaldson said that “For those of us travelling to work in Manchester, the 163 route (either to the City or to the Metrolink in Bury, winds through Darnhill one way and Langley the other, turning what should be a direct half-hour journey into a 90-minute crawl at peak times. That can mean 15 hours a week on a bus just to hold down a decent job.

“This is not joined-up planning. It is a patchwork system that punishes people for where they live. Liberal Democrats believe our community deserves reliable, direct links. A single route connecting Rochdale Infirmary, Hopwood, North Manchester General and Manchester would cut journey times, support local jobs and improve access to healthcare.

Iain added that “One clear route. Fewer changes. Fair access for all. It is time to put Hopwood back on the map.”

Petition: Express bus between Heywood and Manchester

The daily journey between Norden, Heywood and Manchester currently takes over an hour and a half each way on a crowded bus that doubles as a school bus for two large secondary schools. An express bus is needed during the rush hour that travels direct from Heywood to the City Centre and back to enable local people in Heywood to get to work in good time.

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We, the undersigned, call for a direct bus between Heywood and Manchester City Centre.

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