A KEY Ramsbottom bus service has been re-routed following a campaign from councillors and the town's MP.

Transport for Greater Manchester has agreed to extend the 477 service, which runs between Bury, Summerseat and Ramsbottom, to include the Peel Brow estate, from the autumn.

Currently, residents living on and around the estate face a walk up and down a steep hill to the nearest bus stops. Now, the 477 will be extended to stop on Peel Brow and around the estate.

After the issues were reported to him by Ramsbottom Cllr Clare Cummins, Bury North MP James Frith took the concerns to TfGM.

They agreed to re-route the service alongside an extended timetable for the 478 service, both of which will be rebranded as the B1.

Cllr Cummins said: "Many older people and those with young children struggle to get up and down the hill, especially in poor weather.

"Having a bus which comes right to the estate will make a big difference.”

In April 2018, Mr Frith was instrumental in securing the re-routing of the X41 express service to Manchester through Ramsbottom.

And the MP has recently met the chief executives of Bury’s two biggest bus operators, Transdev Rosso and Rotala, who have taken over all First services, to discuss further service improvements across the north of the borough.

He claims that both operators have agreed to look carefully at the proposals presented.