Bus chiefs discuss road sharing

AN Oldham bus company is in talks with transport chiefs about stopping “over bussing” in busy areas.

First Manchester — based in Walshaw Street and the area’s biggest operator — is one of several companies talking to officials about sharing road space more sensibly.

The meetings come as a new plan for Manchester city centre is drawn up and First Manchester managing director Andy Scholley told the Chronicle: “We have been talking to them and we broadly support what they are trying to do.

“There is not much space in the city centre and it makes sense to try to get the best out of it. We are still at the stage of understanding some of the detail.”

The plans also include buses making way for pedestrians in some of Manchester’s main streets including Mosley Street, St Peter’s Square and Victoria Street.

In return for their co-operation, operators are being promised priority along the busy Oxford Street, Princess Street, John Dalton Street, Bridge Street, Portland Street, Church Street, and Shudehill to improve the speed and reliability of buses.