BUS services to replace those lost after Arriva’s decision to close their depot in Winsford have been revealed.

The company announced in February it had launched a consultation on closing its Winsford and Macclesfield depots.

The shutting of the depots means Arriva will no longer be operating any bus services in the Northwich, Winsford, Crewe or Macclesfield areas.

Following the conclusion of the consultation process, Arriva this week confirmed it will be closing the depots on April 22.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have now revealed which of the threatened services will continue after being taken over by other providers.

As of Saturday, April 22, service 31 will now be operated by D&G Bus on an hourly basis between Northwich and Crewe, providing a link to Winsford, Glebe Green and Leighton Hospital.

Service 37 will also be operated by hourly by D&G between Northwich and Crewe, serving Bradbury Road, Winsford, Middlewich and Sandbach. Evening journeys between Winsford and Sandbach will be retained.

D&G Bus will also operate service 1 from Weaverham to Rudheath via Northwich town centre. Journeys to Weaverham will operate every hour throughout the day, journeys to Rudheath will be supplemented by extensions to service 82, providing a combined half hourly service at certain times of the day. Service 1 will operate at suitable times for children travelling to and from Weaverham High School.

Stagecoach will operate service 84 between Crewe and Chester via Nantwich, Tarporley and Tarvin. Revised evening and Sunday services will be provided.

The X31, known as 'Nightlife Express', operates a Friday and Saturday evening service between Winsford and Northwich, with the last bus from Northwich at 11.40pm, designed to support Barons Quay and the night-time economy.

A new service number N4 will operate hourly between Barnton, Winnington and Northwich. This service will extend to Leftwich and Kingsmead at certain times of the day and will also include journeys to Sir John Deane’s College for students.  

A circular town service W7 in Winsford will operate between 9.30am and 2pm Monday to Friday starting at Winsford Library then on to Dene Drive, Mount Pleasant, Over and Grange residential areas.

Cheshire West and Chester Council will financially support X31, N4, the circular town service W7 and the 84 evening and Sunday services.

A maximum single adult fare of £2 continues to be available on all services until June 30, 2023.

Timetable information can be obtained from the bus operator and council websites: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/public-transport