Buses and trains in the Hope Valley
There’s a lot happening at present about how people travel about in the Hope Valley.
Many of us were concerned about indiscriminate roadside parking by visitors to Mam Tor earlier in the year. We are glad that our local Councillors are following up action on enforcement. Long term, we want to see fewer cars, and more visitors arriving by train and bus.
Hope Valley Climate Action has been working with High Peak Buses, the County Council, the National Park Authority and Parish Councils to promote the new 62 Pathfinder service, which runs every day from Buxton to Castleton via Edale and Hope. It connects at Edale with trains to and from Manchester. The ride over Mam Nick is one of the most scenic in the country. We want to see it well used by residents and visitors.
HVCA, like many local people, is dismayed by the unreliability of some of our bus services. We have had several reports of school pupils and older people left stranded when the bus didn’t turn up. We are aware that the Traffic Commissioners, who licence bus operators, recently held a Statutory Inquiry into the performance of Hulleys. We hope that this leads to rapid improvement. Knowing that the bus will come is essential if people are to have confidence in taking it.
The Hope Valley rail line is increasingly well used. Reliability is important with trains, too. There has been a big growth in passenger numbers in the last ten years. HVCA wants to see the current hourly service increased to every 30 minutes. We also want the trains to connect with the buses.
We are putting these points to the County Council and our new East Midlands Mayor. To help HVCA’s travel and transport work, contact rogerclarke@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
Jeremy Wight, HVCA Chair
www.hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
