Just how long does it take to move a bus stop?

A DEMAND to have a bus stop moved just 50 yards to a new site is on the verge of being resolved — after more than a year.

Children have had to wait at a windswept stop on the busy country road linking Delph and Denshaw.

Parish councillor Ken Hulme began a campaign in October last year to have the stop moved to a safer position at the junction of Slackcote Lane, Denshaw Road and Tame Lane.

With the second winter approaching since he first complained and the onset of darker mornings, he says children are still having to wait on an unlit stretch of road.

The present siting of the bus stop also means children are forced to stand in the road because there is no pavement or verge for them to wait in safety for buses.

He asked GMPTE to move the stop to the other side of the junction where there is a verge.

Councillor Hulme said: “Children have to wait for their school bus on dark, wet mornings in dangerous conditions inviting a soaking from speeding traffic.

“I have been chasing this up for more than a year now,” he said. First, I was told the issue was in the hands of GMPTE lawyers who had to determine who owned the land.

“Months elapsed and I was told it was with a surveyor who had to ensure the right sort of hardcore was used to place the three or four paving stones on the verge that passengers could stand on.

“Surely this is not a mammoth feat of engineering? It is a simple request to just move the stop.”

Now, Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s interim bus and rail director, has apologised for the time taken.

He said: “It has taken significantly longer than expected to identify the landowner. We have only recently been able to enter into discussions..

“We have carried out site surveys to enable us to plan the work and would be in a position to start immediately if, and when, negotiations with the landowner are successful.”

Cllr Hulme added: “I just want to see the job completed.”