Concern at Changes to Poynton Bus Services
Poynton’s Conservative councillors are seeking urgent action from Cheshire County Council regarding the 191 bus service, which runs from Green Lane in Middlewood, down Park Lane and onto Stockport and Manchester. This service is currently provided by Stagecoach, who are paid a subsidy from the County Council.
However, from the 30th March 2009, the County Council will transfer the contract to another company, Baker Bus. The service will be renamed the 391, with a new timetable being introduced. It appears that this will offer a reduced service to the village, as some 191 services currently start and end at Manchester Albert Square. The new 391 buses will all terminate at Stockport. People who work at Manchester will have to change at Stockport, and buy tickets from two different operators – this will take longer and probably be more expensive.
However, Baker Bus will be using new single deck buses on this route, with low floors making it easier for passengers to get on and off. Including services 392 and 393, there will be two buses an hour from Poynton Church to Stockport through most of the working day. The last bus back to Poynton will leave Stockport Bus Station at 11.07 pm.
Although the County Council is to be abolished on 31st March, they appear to have negotiated this new service with zero consultation with your Parish Council or the new East Cheshire councillors, who are taking over from Cheshire on 1st April. Local councillor Roger West has pursued this issue with the Council’s officers and stressed the importance of good bus links to Poynton.
Poynton Conservatives will be working to maintain a decent bus service from Poynton to Stockport and Manchester. The new 391 service will be subsidised by Cheshire, and will cost £111,950 a year, or over £2,000 a week. This is paid for by the Council Tax – so remember: “Don’ t Lose it – Please Use it”.
