New Stocksbridge Flyer bus service from 2nd October
Over recent weeks and months I have been working to secure the future of bus services in our communities following the announcement that there was a proposal to cut a number of bus routes from early October.
Today Stagecoach announced that they will be introducing a new bus service connecting Stocksbridge, Deepcar, Wharncliffe Side and Oughtibridge with Middlewood tram stop, Hillsborough and Sheffield. The SL1/SL1a services are to be merged with the 57 route, creating a new Stocksbridge Flyer service (also numbered 57). The service will be twice an hour during week days and hourly at evenings and weekends.
I am led to understand that the underlying reason for these changes is that people are taking fewer bus journeys and this is making some routes less sustainable than was the case.
Many constituents have been in contact with me to raise their concerns about the previously proposed changes, and the serious problems with reliability that they have experienced over recent weeks. Of particular concern had been the future of the Stagecoach SL1 and SL1a routes that serve Stocksbridge and the Upper Don Valley, and which Stagecoach responded to today.
I have previously written to Stagecoach to raise my concerns about their initial proposal, and earlier this month I wrote to the Mayor of South Yorkshire, urging him to use some of the Government’s post-pandemic Bus Recovery Grant to support this important local service. Last week I was also pleased to be able to meet with Stagecoach executives to discuss their planned changes to the Supertram Link routes. At the meeting I set out three main requirements of any change:
- That services between Stocksbridge and Middlewood tram stop must be maintained
- That no community should be left without a regular bus service
- That evening and weekend services must continue
I also asked for services from Stocksbridge to serve Hillsborough tram stop, and more generally for significant improvements in reliability.
To give local residents the bus service they need, and deserve, I felt that each of these three requirements must be met, so, whilst disappointed at the change, I'm pleased that the new Stocksbridge Flyer route does meet each of these requirements. Stagecoach have also assured me that the new timetable will ensure improved reliability, and on that point I will be holding them to account.
Importantly, there's also a plan to introduce a new route between Hillsborough, Worral and Oughtibridge to serve residents on Haggstones Road and Church Street (served by the previous 57 route) and I am advised that this service is in the process of being commissioned. I'll be following up on the progress of this proposal as a matter of urgency.
Whilst this situation is far from ideal, and this new service will be less regular than before the pandemic, I recognise that Stagecoach have listened to representations from myself and members of the community, and all areas served by the SL1 will keep their regular, direct bus service to Middlewood, with added connections to Hillsborough.
I'm keen to hear from residents and users about their experiences using this new Stocksbridge Flyer service and I'm planning to meet with Stagecoach regularly to pass on comments and seek improvements to frequency and reliability. You can share your thoughts through my Local Bus Survey, which is still available here.
I know how important regular, reliable bus services are to people in communities across the constituency. I'll keep working to secure improvements and ensure that the voices of users are heard.
However, it remains the case that fewer bus journeys are being taken than before the pandemic, on some services down by almost 40%, and patterns of use have also changed, with less demand at rush hour for example. Unless, and until passenger numbers recover, it will be difficult for bus operators to offer more regular services. So please do use our buses - including the new Stocksbridge Flyer whenever you can.
You can find more details about the new Stocksbridge Flyer on the Stagecoach website or I have taken the liberty of extracting the relevant information below:
Service 57 Sheffield - Stocksbridge
***UPDATED - some buses will serve Worrall and Oughtibridge***
- SL1 and SL1a services will be withdrawn and replaced by a new 57 and 57a - Stocksbridge Flyer services connecting Stocksbridge and Deepcar with Worrall and Oughtibridge (57a), Middlewood (57), Hillsborough and Sheffield up to every 30 minutes combined.
- 57a will run hourly along the same route as the current 57 through Worrall and Oughtibridge, serving Stocksbridge Leisure Centre Monday – Saturday day times.
- 57 will run hourly along Middlewood Road/ Manchester Road from Hillsborough to Deepcar and Stocksbridge, terminating at Unsliven Bridge. Evenings and Sundays the 57 will also serve Stocksbridge Leisure Centre.
- From Deepcar the route towards Stockbridge will be Carr Road, Wood Royd Road, Armitage Road, Lee Avenue, Bocking Hill, Nanny Hill, Manchester Road, Hole House Lane, Shay House Lane, Pot House Lane, Cedar Road, Coal Pit Lane, Brackenmoor Lane, Victoria Road, Hole House Lane, Manchester Road, then Park Drive, Sitwell Avenue (57a), or Smithy Moor Lane (57) depending on terminus.
- Towards Sheffield the route through Stocksbridge and Deepcar will be - Unsliven Road (57) or Moorland Drive (57a), Oaks Avenue, Rydal Avenue, Park Drive then Manchester Road, Hole House Lane, Shay House Lane, Pot House Lane, Cedar Road, Coal Pit Lane, Brackenmoor Lane, Victoria Road, Hole House Lane, Manchester Road, Nanny Hill, Bocking Hill, Lee Avenue, Armitage Road, Wood Royd Road, Carr Road, A6102 Middlewood Road towards Sheffield.
- Download a map of the route through Stocksbridge and Deepcar. and a timetable.
