Changes to travel information provision in Macclesfield and Crewe

 

The travel information centres at the Crewe and Macclesfield bus stations are to close their doors on Friday (February 25). 

After full consideration, Cheshire East Council has decided to close the centres, which will result in a total saving of more than £50,000 per annum.

The decision to close the centres was made after last summer’s Government budget cuts, in which the Council looked at several cost-saving options. The option to cut funding for the centres was deemed to have the least impact, in comparison with cutting other services, such as reducing vital bus routes.

The decision was made after the Council was satisfied that adequate travel information is available through other sources.  Comprehensive and accessible public transport information is currently available through Traveline – a telephone information line (0871 2002233) and associated website (www.traveline.info).  Local travel information is also available on the Cheshire East Council website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Plans for a Council-run free travel information telephone service have also been approved and will be implemented shortly. 

Tickets for coach travel are now available at a number of outlets. National Express tickets can be bought at the Macclesfield Tourist Information Centre, in Macclesfield Town Hall. Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets can be bought from drivers of the 58, 60 and 64 bus services and GMPTE Wayfarer tickets can be bought at Macclesfield railway station.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “In these challenging times, the Council has had to make some very tough decisions.

“We have strived to limit the impact of our reduced budget on Cheshire East residents. Closing the centres was deemed to have less of an impact than cutting our well-used bus services.

“Although we understand the concerns of those who rely on the centres for travel information, we are confident that the information available through other, more economically-efficient channels, is adequate.”