Key Points
- A former bus route, the 236, connecting Ramsbottom and Bolton with Rawtenstall could be reinstated.
- The proposal is being considered by Lancashire councils and would start in Rawtenstall, run through Ramsbottom, and end in Bolton.
- If approved, the service is expected to begin at the end of November 2026.
- The route would operate every two hours on Mondays to Saturdays, with coordinated timetables between Edgworth and Bolton providing an hourly daytime service on that section.
- The 236 would serve Balladen, Edenfield, Ramsbottom, Hawkshaw, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Bromley Cross and Castle Hill.
- Residents in Ramsbottom have welcomed the move, noting it would improve connections to Bolton without requiring a change in Bury.
- Some locals have raised concerns about the frequency and long-term viability of the service.
- A public consultation on the route—alongside proposed new links between Bolton and Blackburn and Bolton and Darwen—is open on the Lancashire Combined County Authority website until Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
Bolton (Bolton Today) August 21, 2026 – A former bus route linking Ramsbottom and Bolton with Rawtenstall could return to service later this year, following a proposal under consideration by Lancashire councils. The reinstatement of the 236 route, which would run from Rawtenstall through Ramsbottom to Bolton, has been broadly welcomed by residents who currently must change buses in Bury to travel between the towns. A public consultation on the plan is now open, inviting feedback until 15 September.
What is the proposed 236 bus route and where would it run?
The 236 would start in the Lancashire town of Rawtenstall and travel through to Bolton, stopping in Ramsbottom along the way. According to details outlined in local reporting, the route would link Rawtenstall and Bolton via Balladen, Edenfield, Ramsbottom, Hawkshaw, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Bromley Cross and Castle Hill. Between Edgworth and Bolton, timetables would be coordinated to provide an hourly Monday-to-Saturday daytime service along that section, while the overall service is expected to run every two hours on Mondays through to Saturdays.
When could the Ramsbottom–Rawtenstall–Bolton bus start?
If the proposal is signed off, the service would begin at the end of November 2026. The timeline aligns with the ongoing consultation period, which closes on Tuesday, 15 September, giving residents and stakeholders time to respond before any final decision is made.
How often would the bus run and on which days?
The service is expected to operate every two hours on Mondays to Saturdays. In addition, timetable coordination between Edgworth and Bolton would deliver an hourly Monday-to-Saturday daytime service on that part of the route, improving frequency for passengers travelling between those points.
Why do residents support reinstating the 236?
Residents in Ramsbottom have said they would benefit from a direct connection into Bolton, removing the need to change buses in Bury. One resident described the proposal as “great news” and added they “hope it actually happens”. Another said:
“Hopefully this will happen. It’s ridiculous that at the moment if you live in the Holcombe Brook area of Ramsbottom you can only go to Bury. With this you can go to Bolton and Rawtenstall.”
A third simply responded: “Finally!”
What concerns have been raised about the new service?
Not all feedback has been unequivocally positive. Some residents expressed concern that the proposed frequency—every two hours—might not make the route convenient enough for everyday use. Others questioned whether the service would remain in place in the long term, reflecting wider anxieties about the stability of bus provision in the area.
Who is consulting on the route and how can people respond?
The consultation on the new route is being run by the Lancashire Combined County Authority. It covers not only the Ramsbottom–Rawtenstall–Bolton 236 proposal but also new connections between Bolton and Blackburn and between Bolton and Darwen. Residents can submit their views via the authority’s website, with the consultation open until Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
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How does this fit with wider bus changes in Greater Manchester?
While the 236 proposal falls under Lancashire councils’ consideration, it comes amid broader changes to bus services across the region. Recent reporting has highlighted a series of improvements to the Bee Network in Bolton, including extended night services, additional daytime trips on key routes, and enhanced links to employment and retail sites such as Middlebrook Retail Park. The 236 reinstatement would add another cross-boundary option for passengers travelling between Lancashire and Greater Manchester towns.
What are the next steps for the 236 proposal?
The immediate next step is the public consultation, which closes on 15 September. After that, councils will review feedback before deciding whether to proceed with bringing the 236 back into use. If approved, the service is slated to start at the end of November, subject to operational arrangements and timetable coordination with existing services between Edgworth and Bolton.
Who reported this story and what sources were used?
This story draws on reporting by local news outlets covering the proposal, including The Bolton News and the Bury Times, which published near-identical accounts of the 236 reinstatement plan. The Bury Times article, published on 21 August 2026, provided detailed route information, resident quotes and consultation details. The Bolton News carried the same headline and core details on the same date. Additional context on regional bus changes comes from BBC News and local outlets covering Bee Network updates in Bolton.
What does this mean for passengers in Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall and Bolton?
For passengers, the key implication is a potential direct link between Ramsbottom and Bolton, as well as access to Rawtenstall without changing in Bury. The coordinated timetable between Edgworth and Bolton would also mean more frequent services on that stretch, potentially improving reliability and reducing waiting times for commuters and shoppers. However, the overall two-hourly frequency on the full route means some passengers may still find the service limited for certain journeys, particularly outside peak daytime hours.
How can people have their say before a decision is made?
Residents and regular bus users can submit their views via the Lancashire Combined County Authority’s consultation website. The consultation covers the 236 proposal alongside other new links, including Bolton–Blackburn and Bolton–Darwen routes. Feedback is being accepted until Tuesday, 15 September 2026, after which authorities will consider responses before making a final decision on whether to reinstate the 236.