Bus link between Dane Bank and Denton town centre saved

Dane Bank’s bus link to Denton Town centre has been saved after pressure from councillors and the local MP.

There was anger from passengers and politicians alike when Stagecoach announced they would be cancelling the 205 bus service that linked the Dane Bank area of Denton with Crown Point.

The 204, 206 and 207 services have also been withdrawn, to be replaced by a singular 202 service.

It will be operated by North Western and will operate daytime Monday to Saturday.

It will take in stops on Acre Street, Cedar Grove, Shoecroft Avenue, City Avenue, Town Lane, Auburn Road, Dusking Avenue, St Lawrence Road, Linden Road, Sainsbury’s in Denton and Dane Bank.

The bus will be a ‘hail and ride’ service on some of the residential roads in the Crown Point part of the route, meaning that passengers can get on or off the bus wherever it is safe.

On school days the service will also take in Denton Community College, although only on select services.

Writing on Facebook, Denton MP Andrew Gwynne said: “We are really grateful to North Western, TfGM and all the residents who supported the campaign to retain a bus link.”

Denton West councillor George Jones campaigned against Stagecoach’s decision. He welcomed the new service, saying: “The scrapping of the Dane Bank to Denton link by Stagecoach was wrong and shameful. Parts of a town should never be cut off from vital services in the town centre.

“After much hard work between ourselves and Transport for Greater Manchester, it’s absolutely fantastic to see that we have a new service with a new operator to save this important link.

“I believe this is a service that will work in the interests of the passengers that will use it proven by the morning drop off and evening pick up at Denton Community College and the hail and ride scheme available around the Acre Street, Shoecroft Avenue and Town Lane area.

“We must now all work together to ensure this service is a success."