BUSMEN are prepared to fight to keep Atherton depot.

Union leaders say closure plans for the Howe Bridge garage would be "a disaster" for travellers and a blow to future public transport dreams.

Baffled union chiefs query the logic behind the closure plan and claim taking 245 jobs out of the area will have dire consequences for local shops and businesses.

Joint Trade Union Committee chairman John Burke said: "For the first time in 30 years we have a government working with local authorities pursuing a greater public transport usage policy.

"They are preparing to legislate in favour of buses. Public opinion is in favour of an integrated public transport system and recognises Britain will become gridlocked if we do not alter the way we travel.

"The future for public transport has never looked rosier. All the more reason to keep a purpose-built bus depot open.

"People before profit. The fight goes on!"

Depot joint crafts' union convener Peter Powell stressed: "We have to make people see common sense and keep Atherton open."

Workers have called on MPs Terry Lewis and Lawrence Cunliffe, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive chairman Cllr Joe Clarke and Council Leader Cllr Peter Smith to back their reprieve plea.

Cllr Smith said: "I was surprised to hear the announcement that Greater Manchester Buses were intent on closing the depot without any sort of consultation with the local authority. Before Christmas I wrote to Dr Mike Mitchel requesting a meeting early in the New Year to discuss the quality of service in the Leigh and Atherton area and opportunities planned to improve bus transport as part of government policy.

"I have so far received no response.

"I shall continue to press for a meeting and would now wish to discuss the proposed closure. It will have a serious impact on the economy of the area through loss of local spending and the inevitable job losses that will follow.

"I am unconvinced the bus network in our area, already showing signs of strain, can be serviced adequately from depots over seven miles away."

GREENS are urging bus bosses to re-think the Howe Bridge depot closure plan.

The Green Party says it is "concerned at the prospect of losing yet another feature of Leigh to its neighbour Wigan".

Leigh Green Party agent Chris Maile said: "The loss of this bus depot will inevitably lead to job losses, while at the same time it will again deflate the local economy in Leigh, affecting local services as they become less economic to run from a distant depot.

"Enough is enough. Leigh cannot afford the loss of this local bus depot."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.