NIGHT-time safety measures at Leigh bus station have proved so successful that transport chiefs have agreed to continue the scheme.

Under an experimental scheme, which started in August 1995, bus services after 7pm were grouped together on a limited number of stands.

During the period of the trial, passengers and other bodies such as bus operators and the police, were asked for their views.

Deputy Chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's Policy Committee, Councillor Kevan Helsby, said: "So far reaction has been favourable. However, we want to make a few alterations to the way the scheme is implemented before we agree to extend it to other bus stations."

"Our bus stations vary considerably in layout and size. What has worked with Leigh may well not be practical at every location."

It is proposed to modify the public address system, whereby a message advising people that the stand is not currently in use, will be played automatically at regular intervals in the appropriate parts of the bus station after 7pm.

It is hoped that this, along with other measures, will remove the need for the gates on either end of the stands which presently require locking an unlocking each day.

The changes will be closely monitored to see if they are workable before any further decision is taken on extending the scheme to other bus stations or keeping it going permanently at Leigh.

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