Youths Xpress bus frustration

RETURN ticket . . ? One of Oldham's youth buses

FED-UP youngsters have written a heartfelt letter to Oldham’s youth service after being left out in the cold.

Ten of them produced a hand-written letter they had written on the street - after reaching the end of their tether over a weekly fun bus that keeps failing to turn up.

Up to 30 children and young adults arrive at the bus stop every Monday evening at Delph Primary School car park to wait for the mobile youth bus - called the Xpress, or Buzz - not knowing whether it will arrive.

The letter, directed at the borough’s youth service head, Neil Consterdine, criticised the “lack of service” for young people in the area.

It said: “Since our club closed a few years ago we have had limited access to youth activities.

“We are supposed to have the ‘buzz’ once a week but it has proved to be inconsistent from day one.

“We never know if it is going to turn up and are often left waiting in the cold and rain.

“There are currently no youth clubs in the whole of Saddleworth. Is it really fair on us to be left without support?”

The youngsters claim they have been approached by police officers at Saddleworth School telling them to steer clear of local parks of an evening because of anti-social behaviour. They say there’s nowhere else for them to go.

The free buses are used across Oldham, but it is believed the number of buses has been reduced due to spending cuts.

Councillor Hugh McDonald said: “We try to ensure that notice is given when the bus is not available. If the bus isn’t available, youth workers will still meet with the young people.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and will endeavour to provide them with as much notice as possible when incidents like this arise.”