The Antioch Christian Bookroom

Edgworth and Chapeltown residents have been without direct access to Bolton by bus for years, despite it being the nearest town for shops, work and hospital appointments.

I have been working with residents and North Turton Parish Council on this for a long time, holding meetings with Edgworth locals and putting the case to Lancashire’s Transport Chair, Transport for Greater Manchester and Travel Assist. I have raised the issue in Parliament twice, shortly after I was elected in 2024 and again this year during my debate on transport links for small towns.

A route that crosses a county boundary requires many more heads to be on board before it can be established, which is a large part of why this has taken so long.

The good news is that there is now a proposal on the table. From the 29th of November, the 235 would run from Darwen through Hoddlesden, Edgworth and Chapeltown into Bolton. The 236 would restore the Rawtenstall to Bolton link via Balladen, Edenfield, Ramsbottom, Hawkshaw and Edgworth. It would take in the current Rawtenstall town service, so the hourly journeys between Rawtenstall and Balladen stay.

Each would run roughly every two hours, Monday to Saturday daytime. The two are timed together, so Edgworth and Chapeltown would have an hourly service into Bolton.

These proposals are subject to a consultation, and the response from residents will be our chance to show the necessity of these new routes and the strength of feeling across Rossendale and Darwen. The consultation opens on the 19th of August and runs to the 15th of September. I will share the link as soon as it is live, and I encourage everyone who would use these buses to have their say. ... See MoreSee Less