A DECISION to axe a bus service in Greenmount has been described as "abysmal."

The 481 service from Ramsbottom to Bury has been withdrawn from the end of July.

Christine Taylor, chairman of Tottington District Civic Society, said that something needed to be done to replace it.

Speaking at the Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Township Forum meeting last Wednesday she said: "The bus service in Greenmount is the worst that it has ever been. It was better before any of the estates were built and there were less people.

"Now they're removing the 481, it's abysmal. In Greenmount we have 13,000 homes and a medical centre with 8,000 patients.

"With these cuts there's no wonder that most people use their cars adding so much congestion to the roads in Bury.

"It's absolutely ridiculous."

The bus currently runs from Ramsbottom — Holcombe Brook — Greenmount — Tottington — Walshaw — Bury at regular intervals throughout the day.

The group has been coming up with suggestions as to how the situation could be alleviated.

Mrs Taylor explained: "If the 468 and 469 could be extended up to Greenmount that would be ideal.

"At the minute lots of people park on the Toby Carvery car park to go to the medical centre and they are really good at allowing them everyone to do that.

"The bus company say there isn't room for the bus to turn around but I don't know if it would be possible for them to turn around in the car park?

"It's a really bad situation, I don't know why Greater Manchester Transport can't just run a trial of the 468 and 469."

Cllr Dorothy Gunther who was chairing the meeting said: "It's a very valid point and I’m totally sympathetic to the situation.

"The bus company will say there isn't the number of people using the buses to justify the services that’s what they will say.

"I'm not saying that's the case but we will take your sensible suggestion. Whether we can do anything is debatable but I think we should take it up."

It was agreed that the council would invite Greater Manchester Transport and the bus companies to make a presentation at the next township forum meeting.

Greater Manchester Transport were contacted for a comment about the cuts.