NEW BUS ROUTE = SAFER SALFORD SCHOOL KIDS

• - Community mobilisation forces council and bus companies into action

Until last year the Brookhouse Estate in Eccles had been the victim of very poor road maintenance with the Southern section of the estate - along Verdant Lane, Trippier Road and Northfleet Road - resembling the surface of the moon.

Fearing damage to their vehicles, the two bus companies who service the estate - GM and Arriva - openly refused to send their buses down the roads, opting instead to gain access via Brookhouse Avenue before returning along the same route.

"This left both Salford City Academy and Barton Moss Primary without a direct bus service," said Ivor Davies who lives on Lodgepole Close off Buckthorn Lane. "This was unacceptable. Pupils are at their safest in school not hanging around shops half way across the estate. Add to that the inconvenience felt by our elderly residents and the situation had to change," he added.

A former Parent Governor at Barton Moss and present Governor at Salford City Academy - where his son Gareth, 14, attends - , Ivor is a familiar face around Brookhouse acting as a conduit between the schools, the Brookhouse Residents Association (BRA), the Neighbourhood Development team and local councillors.

When he voiced his concerns about the road situation at the BRA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Sept 2007 he was fervently supported by a number of community members including SCA Principal, Elizabeth Haddock.

Mrs Haddock said: "Ever since the Academy opened we've been concerned by the road situation and have let our opinions be heard on many occasions. When Ivor started mobilising the community behind the issue we were happy to add our full support."

Made fully aware of the community feeling at that AGM were a number of Salford City Council representatives who arranged another meeting for February 2008 to discuss the matter further. At that meeting the decision was made to resurface, widen and speed bump Verdant Lane, Trippier Road and Northfleet Road with extra width added to residents' drives.

"We were delighted by the council's response and knew that when the work had been completed there was no excuse for the bus companies to carry on servicing one half of the estate," said Ivor.

Road works began in July 2008 and by November the Verdant Lane area was unrecognisable. Community pride returned as residents looked forward to seeing the first bus appear around the bend.

Despite initial reluctance from bus companies, GM buses agreed to trial the new route from February and it is hoped that Arriva will follow suit in the near future. Two buses an hour now travel down Verdant Lane, passing SCA on Northfleet Road before leaving via Brookhouse Avenue, with an extra two an hour being laid on at school leaving time.

"The new roads and bus service have made a major difference to peoples' lives. It's revitalised the Southern section of the estate as residents are taking more pride in their property, kids are in school on time and the elderly can now get to the shops without too much hassle," added Ivor.   

Mrs Haddock said: "We're delighted pupils are finally getting picked up from outside the gates as their safety is our paramount concern. The Brookhouse Estate is a very strong community of which we are a major part so it's very pleasing to see everyone working together like this towards a common goal. As a teacher myself I think that sets an excellent example to our pupils."