A free town centre bus which aims to make it easier for visitors to get around the rapidly changing Rochdale town centre will be taking to the road on Monday. (3 Feb). 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 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 Feel Good Café as well as in the bus station and in libraries across the borough. | 
