All three vital cross-border bus services whose future was in doubt are set to continue - to the relief of passengers.

The 237, 341 and 358 buses are important links to enable High Peak residents to travel for work, college and hospital appointments. 

The 237 runs from Glossop to Ashton-under-Lyne, the 341 from Glossop to Hyde and the 358 from Hayfield to Stockport via New Mills. 

New Mills County Councillor Anne Clarke said: “I know many people have been extremely worried and that this will now be a huge relief to many. Thank you to everyone who has worked on this.” 

Glossop and Charlesworth County Councillor Damian Greenhalgh said: “I know this has been a great worry for so many people that rely on this service to get to work, college and health appointments...so this is welcome news!!” 

The bus operators have been able to reach an agreement with Transport for Greater Manchester and Derbyshire County Council to keep running the service beyond October. 

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “The 237, 341 and 358 services were recently tendered by Transport for Greater Manchester, with the council deciding to provide additional money to keep them going, so these three services will continue.  

“The council realises how important they are to local people in Glossop, Hayfield, Gamesley, New Mills and Hadfield so that they can get to work, the shops, schools and colleges.” 

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, said: “These services provide vital transport links for rural communities in Glossop, Hayfield, Gamesley, New Mills and Hadfield and we could not stand by and see them disappear.

“Nationally bus passenger numbers have not yet returned to pre Covid levels, so in supporting these services we hope we will encourage more people to use them and I would urge all residents to start using the buses available on a more regular basis.

“By providing the money to keep these services going we are doing all we can to allow people to get to their place of work, education, to the shops or travel for leisure.”

High Peak MP Robert Largan said he was pleased to have been able to work with residents and on a cross-party basis to fight to protect services. 

He said: “I want to put on record my thanks to all those involved, especially Steve Grieve who organised a very well attended public meeting last month and has been leading the charge to protect the 358. 

“I’m so glad we’ve got the right outcome on local public transport. Now we can focus on trying to extend and improve services.” 

The funding agreement will run until January 2025. 

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