News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(1) | Video ClipsWatch video (1 clips)
A BUS snapped on Cavendish Road at 3pm on Thursday.
A BUS snapped on Cavendish Road at 3pm on Thursday.
advertisement

Are you taking us for a ride?

Marie Burchill
19/ 4/2007

THEY'VE been told 'under no circumstances' must they use south Manchester's residential roads as rat runs to avoid the area's traffic.

Yet this picture shows that drivers from leading bus company Stagecoach are still using Oak Road and Cavendish Road in West Didsbury as short-cuts to avoid snarled-up roads such as Wilmslow Road and Princess Road - despite continuous complaints from residents.

Last week the company issued an apology in the South Manchester Reporter to residents on the quiet suburban roads who have been affected by the problem since the beginning of March.

In the statement a spokesman for Stagecoach - which also owns Magic Buses - said that the issue would be rectified by April 16 in time for the beginning of the new university term, as many of the offending buses formed part of an extra service to cater for students during term time.

They blamed the initial problem on a breakdown in communication between themselves and their drivers.

However, on Monday, April 16, both Stagecoach buses and Magic Buses were using the roads once again.

In despair, some residents grabbed their cameras to capture quick snap shots of the offending buses as proof.

Mrs Gracie, who lives on Cavendish Road, snapped some of the drivers. She said: "The bus company in question certainly does not appear to have adhered to their promises. The first bus down Cavendish Road was at 6am on April 16, and they continued on a regular basis all day.

"So much for the apologies - the message from the bus company appears to have been lost somewhere between them and the bus drivers."

Tim Jevons, who lives on Oak Road, said: "This is ridiculous. Stagecoach have broken their promise once again, and we just want the situation to be resolved. I counted 16 buses in just one day on Oak Road. I actually stopped to tell one driver that the road was not a bus route and he just shrugged his shoulders."

In their latest statement a spokesman for Stagecoach said: "The journeys started again on Monday, April 16, and drivers have been instructed that under no circumstances must any vehicle use Oak Road or Cavendish Road as cut-throughs. A notice to this effect is included on their work sheet."


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(1) | Video ClipsWatch video (1 clips)


Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   As a resident of Cavendish Road, I too am concerned by the continued bus use of our road. Stagecoach and Magic buses are continuing to use Cavendish Road - literally a constant stream of buses is going by. They ignore the speed bumps and drive straight over them at high speed. This is obviously against what their spokesman stated to you in last weeks article, that their drivers should not be using the road. I have emailed Stagecoach to complain again, but wonder if you have had any further correspondence with them, and whether you will be investigating further?
Laura Halls, Cavendish Road
23/04/2007 at 16:15
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Sats tests
 

Should less emphasis be placed on the results of tests and more emphasis on general education for children?

89%
11%

Personal Finance
 

Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
FirstPlus Exclusive Rate 6.6%
Moneyback Bank 7.2%
Barclaycard Personal Loan 7.3%
Alliance & Leicester 7.7%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 7.8%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 7.8%
Barclays 7.9%
Easy Access
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Savings Account 		6.16%
BRADFORD & BINGLEY
Internet Saver 2 		6.00%
ICESAVE
Easy Access Account 		6.05%
PRINCIPALITY BS
e-SAVER 		5.75%
SAINSBURYS BANK
internet saver 		5.50%
Fees may apply