{"id":608,"date":"2012-03-28T16:24:49","date_gmt":"2012-03-28T15:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smart-rail.co.uk\/?p=608"},"modified":"2012-09-04T19:40:23","modified_gmt":"2012-09-04T18:40:23","slug":"replacement-bus-services-sundays-from-1st-april","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smart-rail.co.uk\/?p=608","title":{"rendered":"Replacement bus services, Sundays from 1st April"},"content":{"rendered":"

There will be no Sunday trains at Slaithwaite and Marsden from 1st<\/sup> April. The information is available, via Metro or Northern Rail\u2019s timetables, but not particularly easy to find and rather vague as to where the replacement buses call.<\/p>\n

Why?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stalybridge station is to be remodelled, creating two extra platforms. One is to be a bay platform facing towards Manchester Victoria, next to the buffet bar. This will be for the Stalybridge to Liverpool trains which will no longer have to cross the main line. There will be one additional through platform, which will enable express trains to overtake local trains at Stalybridge, in either direction. This gives more flexibility to reduce the impact of delays.<\/p>\n

The construction process will cause some disruption.<\/p>\n

When?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There will be no Sunday trains from 1st April to 24th June<\/strong> and again from 16th September<\/strong> to 3rd<\/sup> December<\/strong>. [Actually that\u2019s not quite true, there will be one mid-evening train from Huddersfield to Marsden and back.]<\/p>\n

During October half term the line will be closed (a \u201ccomplete blockade\u201d at Stalybridge, as it has been described) with Trans Pennine expresses sent along the Calder Valley route through Todmorden & Rochdale and a replacement bus between Victoria and Huddersfield. SMART has requested that during that week, trains should continue to run from Huddersfield to Marsden and back.<\/p>\n

Replacement bus services<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Where from?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the timetables published by Metro and by Northern Rail, buses will call at Marsden “town centre” and Slaithwaite “town centre”.<\/p>\n

If you were to assume, as well you might, that Marsden town centre meant somewhere near the Mechanics Hall, you’d be wrong. Actually the replacement buses will call on Manchester Road, next to the New Inn.<\/p>\n