A local bus operator has swooped in to take three of the cut Arriva bus routes, but Macclesfield is left out from the temporary fixes.

D&G Bus has announced it will 'step in and cover' a number of Arriva's services - following Arriva's announcement to close local depots and cancel routes across our area.

Unfortunately, none of the five cut Macclesfield bus routes to be slashed have been saved.

D&G has announced it will be stepping in to run additional services in Crewe and wider across Cheshire from Sunday 23 April.

D&G has registered a replacement service to cover the 84 Crewe to Nantwich/Chester. But Macclesfield places like Bollington are left out from the temporary cover. (Image - Nub News / Ryan Parker).

It has registered replacement services to cover the 31 Northwich to Winsford to Crewe, 37 Northwich to Winsford to Sandbach to Crewe and 84 Crewe to Nantwich/Chester.

D&G says it already provides a service on the 38 Crewe to Macclesfield route, so it won't be laying on a second bus to make up for the Arriva cut.

Commercial Director at D&G Bus, David Brookes, told Nub News: "Local people will be worried about the future of bus travel in the area following this announcement.

"We'd like to reassure them that we intend to step in and cover as much of the Arriva network as we can.

D&G says it intends to step in and cover as much of the Arriva network as it can (Ryan Parker).

"We've registered replacement services to cover the 31, 37 and 84, and we already provide a service on the 38.

"Timetables will be available on our website over the next day or two.

"There are some services we haven't registered but we will be speaking to local council officers to see what else we can do to help.

"We can't guarantee we can cover all the Arriva routes but we'll make every effort to keep local buses moving in the area."

Arriva's move will see the shutting of its Cheshire depots - no longer operating any bus services in the Crewe, Winsford, Northwich, and Macclesfield areas.

D&G says it is speaking to local council officers to see what else it can do to help (Ryan Parker).

It would mean its services to parts of Cheshire East, including Crewe, Sandbach and Macclesfield would be scrapped.

D&G has quickly stepped in to cover some of these lost routes but a number of services in and around Crewe are not yet secured.

Mr Brookes added, "We're recruiting qualified bus drivers and engineers to help us keep these vital services running.

"D&G are an independent company that provides a personal family approach to the people that work for us.

D&B's temporary coverage of cut Arriva routes sadly does not cover Macclesfield buses like Upton Priory, the Weston and Bollington which face an uncertain future. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"We're proud to be helping to keep local services running, and we look forward to welcoming new colleagues and customers on board."

It has not been reported how many job losses Arriva's exodus from the local area has led to.

For those after a new job, if you would like to join D&G Bus or would like more details please contact them via phone on 01270 252970 or 01782 332337.

You can email them at [email protected], or come and meet the company at one of its recruitment events - details of which will be released later this week.

Macclesfield Bus Station today. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

List of Arriva bus routes that would still no longer operate:

• 6 Leighton Hospital - Shavington 
• 3 Macclesfield - Weston
• 7 Winsford Local Circular
• 1 Northwich Circular via Rudheath and Weaverham
• 4 Barnton to Leftwich and Kingsmead via Northwich
• 4 Macclesfield - Upton Priory
• 5 & 6 Macclesfield - Broken Cross
• 9 Macclesfield - Moss Rose
• 10 Macclesfield - Bollington

Left: The D&G 38 bus from Macclesfield to Crewe, pictured in Congleton, will still run. But they won't cover the cut Arriva service of the same route. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

You can read about Macclesfield's reaction to the cuts ON THIS LINK.

Earlier today, Cheshire East Council's Deputy Leader gave his two cents on the Arriva cuts. Click here to read that story.

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