Extra stops have been added to an early-morning train service from Buxton to Manchester to help students get to college on time. 

Covid-19 has seen the 7.59am service temporarily withdrawn, but it provided a vital transport link for High Peak students as it stopped at both Woodsmoor and Davenport stations. 

Concerns about the loss of the service for commuting school and college students were raised with rail operator Northern by the borough's MP and councillors.

From Monday (10 January), extra stops at both Woodsmoor and Davenport stations have been added to the 7.36am service to ensure students that travel from Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Whaley Bridge, Furness Vale and New Mills can still get to school and college on time. 

High Peak MP Robert Largan has welcomed the decision.

He said: "This service is really important to college students across the High Peak, who use it on a daily basis to travel to Stockport or Aquinas Colleges.  

"Removing this morning service would have meant students paying more to access their education and more overcrowding on trains through Stockport." 

He stated that he will continue to push for the 7.59am service to be reinstated in full as soon as possible. 

Whaley Bridge county councillor Ruth George, who had also been lobbying the train operator, said: “I’m very pleased that Northern have realised the need for these stops and have reinstated them on weekdays until further notice.”

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