The bus will
take visitors on a circular route which will start at the bus station and pass
South Parade, Newgate, St Mary’s Gate and Hunter’s Lane before returning to the
bus station.
Shoppers can
be dropped off at the bus stop on Newgate on request for access to the Post
Office, Rochdale market and the Exchange Shopping Centre.
Two temporary
stops will also be erected on Hunter’s Lane. The first will provide access to
the Baum and the Pioneers’ museum as well as shops in the middle of Yorkshire
Street such as M&S. The second temporary stop will be further up Hunter’s
Lane providing easy access to the shops on Cheetham Street and the top end of
Yorkshire Street.
The free bus
(number 200) will leave stand c at the bus station every 20 minutes between 8.05am and 5.05pm
from Monday to Saturday.
Leader of
Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “The regeneration of Rochdale
town centre is incredibly exciting, but it inevitably brings some disruption.
“Businesses
in Rochdale have been loyal through these difficult times so we wanted to
support them by introducing this service which will make it much easier for
visitors to continue to shop in Rochdale town centre during this time of rapid
change.”
The bus will
initially run for a three month period which may be extended if it proves a
success. Timetables will be available in town centre shops including M&S,
Chantilly and the Feelgood Café as well as in the bus station and in libraries
across the borough.
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| Map of the Number 200 Free Rochdale Town Centre Shuttle Bus |
