New bus services proposed for Edgworth and Chapeltown villages

Now, that could finally change.

Two proposed bus routes could give residents on the outskirts of the town an hourly service into Bolton from November.

It comes after we highlighted the plight of one villager who feels stranded earlier this week.

The plans would serve Chapeltown and Edgworth, with consultation due to open next week and run until September.

If approved, services are planned to begin on November 29.

Cllr Jude Rowley, who chairs North Turton Parish Council, said: “For elderly people or people who aren’t mobile, you are stranded, you are kind of isolated unless you can afford regular taxis.

(Image: NQ)

“It’s not an ideal way to live, and for a long time, people have felt isolated.”

The proposals would introduce Service 235 from Darwen to Bolton and Service 236 from Rawtenstall to Bolton, both generally running every two hours.

The 235 would be a route from Darwen direct into Bolton via Hoddlesden, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Bromley Cross and Castle Hill.

The 236 would link Rawtenstall and Bolton via Balladen, Edenfield, Ramsbottom, Hawkshaw, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Bromley Cross and Castle Hill.

Their timetables would be coordinated between Edgworth and Bolton, providing an hourly Monday to Saturday daytime service along that section.

Cllr Rowley said residents had been campaigning for a regular service for years.

He said: “There’s been, to be honest, it has been a case of either relying on taxis or walking down to Bromley Cross to catch the train into Manchester, walking up to Entwistle to catch the train in Blackburn.”

The new links could make a major difference for people without access to a car, particularly those who currently rely on relatives or taxis.

Cllr Rowley said he had found the lack of public transport difficult.

He added: “Or you walk to the station, you know, and in winter months when it’s dark you’re kind of walking 45 minutes down to Bromley Cross.

(Image: Pete Kennington)

“It’s not the most pleasant.”

He said a taxi to Darwen costs about eight pounds, meaning a return journey can quickly become expensive for residents.

Plans aim to improve links to employment, education, healthcare and local services.

Consultation is the next stage, and Cllr Rowley urged residents to take part, whether they support the proposals or want changes.

He added: “It’ll be a big thing once it gets going again and there’s been loads of local residents for years who’ve campaigned for this.

“Our local MP Andy MacNae as well has been really supportive since coming in July 2024 and I think it’s worth emphasising that this isn’t kind of any one person’s effort.

“It’s something that local residents have been pushing for and pushing for for years and it just looks like now it’s finally been pushed over the line, which is brilliant for everyone both in the villages and beyond really.”

The consultation runs from August 19 to September 15.