Concerns as ‘lifeline’ bus service halted during 14 weeks of Cat And Fiddle roadworks
Residents who rely on the 58 bus from Burbage to Buxton say they will be cut off as road closures on the Cat And Fiddle will impact the service.
Work has now started on a 14-week major project to upgrade the A54 Cat And Fiddle Road by Derbyshire County Council with the road to Macclesfield shut until the end of October as phase one works take place.
Sue Heywood, president of Burbage WI contacted the Buxton Advertiser about how this road closure will impact Burbage residents.
She said: “To anyone who does not have the use of a car the number 58 bus is essential as it is a lifeline for access to doctors, hospitals and shopping in Buxton or Macclesfield where every community resource is situated. “Even those WI members who are able to walk into Buxton have the prospect of carrying heavy shopping back uphill. Without the 58 bus, a £7 taxi ride is the only alternative.
“Data from such a long used service as the 58 must be available to provide information of busiest times when a bus could be made available to and from Buxton (for perhaps 4 round trips a day) to provide a service for all Burbage residents who are isolated by these long closures to the route. Perhaps routes like the 185 / 186 to Harpur, or Fairfield or Leek could be slightly rerouted for the closure periods?
“A bus service is important for the independence and wellbeing of Burbage. We will be resourceful and share lifts and taxis. We ask our leaders to show some creative thinking too, rather than announce to us that a bus service is no longer available.”
The repairs are taking place because DCC undertook major ground investigations on the A54 during May 2026 to help them understand more about the challenges of the road. A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: “The route is cut into the hillside with steep sided earth banks next to the road. Over time, the banks have started to collapse onto the road due to more extreme weather conditions and inadequate drainage.”
The council are trying to rectify this and the first phase of work - which will last for 14 weeks - will see resurfacing the road between the junction with the A537 at the county border, and where the hill known as The Terret meets the road, installing a new drainage system to make sure rainwater drains away from the road surface to minimise surface water flooding as during cold wintry weather, rainwater can freeze on the road surface, causing potholes to form in any cracks. Work will include laying high friction surfacing at bends for increased skid resistance, to improve vehicle braking and road safety, as well as making pavement repairs. The council will also be upgrading the road signs along the route to alert drivers, helping to improve visibility, particularly in poor weather conditions. Works will include erecting new black and white chevron boards, cat’s eyes and marker posts to illuminate bends, as well as speed limit and warning signs.
However, this means the road is shut and the 58 bus is not running.
Resident Anne Wood said: “The no.58 bus which runs an hourly service either way between Macclesfield and Buxton is not now going to be calling at stops in Burbage and surrounding area until October 30.
“No provision is being made for the older people and many others who rely on this service daily.
“They use the bus for getting to work, doctors and dentist appointments,shopping and socialising.
“How can this be justified?
“As the road will be closed next year as well in April for twelve weeks what provision will be made then?”
Acouncil spokesperson said: “The temporary road closure will affect public bus services 58 between Buxton and Macclesfield. The routes are provided by High Peak Buses and Centre Bus.”
On High Peak Buses website it states: “Due to road safety improvements, the A54 will be closed to the A53 Leek Road, preventing the 58 service from accessing the Cat & Fiddle.
“During this time the 58 service will operate a revised route and timetable.”
The bus operator says the service will operate via Long Hill & B5470 (via Rainow) to maintain an hourly service between Buxton and Macclesfield.
Most journeys will extend beyond Macclesfield Bus Station to main a service to the Black Road area.
High Peak Buses said: “We will be unable to serve the Burbage area in Buxton for the duration of the closure, but the East Midlands Combined County Authority are currently looking at options for Burbage residents during this period.
“The East Midlands Combined County Authority have contracted us to provide a shuttle bus between Buxton & Burbage during the closure of the Cat & Fiddle, whilst the 58 is diverting via Rainow.
“The 58B service will operate as far as Ladmanlow after looping Burbage to ensure the stops on Leek Road are also served - there is a triangular junction at Grin Low Road, which the bus will use to turn the bus around to return to Buxton.”
More work is planned for phase two which will last 12 weeks and is likely to start in April and will include reinforcing the earth banks to make them more stable and less likely to collapse.
This will reduce the risk of falling debris or loose rock falling on to the road as well as the installation of new and repairs to existing safety barriers and bike guards.