2,000 people sign petition calling for return of bus services to Halifax Borough Market
Traders at Halifax Borough Market started the petition, following concerns changes had led to a drop-off in trade
Around 2,000 people have signed a petiton calling for bus routes servicing a major market to be restored.
Traders at Halifax Borough Market started the petition, following concerns changes had led to a drop-off in trade including older and less mobile customers being unable to get to it easily.
Coun Joe Thompson (Lab, Town) presented the petition to a meeting of the full Calderdale Council and it will now be considered in line with policy on petitions.
He said: “It’s aptly titled Bring Back Our Buses, we’ve got roughly 2,000 signatures to present, asking for the council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and bus providers to restore vital bus services to parts of Halifax town centre.”
Halifax Borough Market traders claim some services were no longer dropping passengers off near the market, and instead going straight to Halifax Bus Station.
This particularly impacted older and less mobile customers who have been unable to make it to the market and its stalls, they say.
The move, combined with the current roadworks in Halifax town centre, has caused a steep decline in footfall at the market, reported traders.
If a petition reaches 2,000 signatures, it will normally be debated at the next ordinary meeting of the council.
This means that the issue raised in the petition will be discussed at a meeting which all councillors can attend, says the authority.