Greater Manchester’s thrill-seekers will soon be able to extend their stay at one of the UK’s biggest theme parks thanks to a new bus service.
Launching this weekend, Stockport-based travel provider High Peak Buses will now run its Sunday and Bank Holiday 199 service through to Hartington, Peak Wildlife Park and Alton Towers Resort.
A new early-evening return journey is also set to be introduced.
Currently, the popularly-used 199 service runs from Manchester Airport to the theme park, stopping in Stockport, Disley, Chapel-en-le-Frith, and Buxton along the way. But with the introduction of the new timetable, additional journeys will be running through the day between Buxton and Hartington, calling at Sterndale Moor and Pomeroy, too.
The new timetable comes into effect from 30 May, and will be in place until 30 August 2021.
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High Peak Buses has said that the introduction of the new bus service shows that “we have listened to feedback from our customers”.
From Sunday 30th May, we will be operating a X99 service from Buxton to Peak Wildlife Park & Alton Towers via Sterndale Moor, Hartington & Hulme End – https://t.co/Ro0Bg8QUTspic.twitter.com/xVXSrQydfU
Speaking on the launch of the anticipated new timetable, Nikos Ntalampiras – Operations Manager at High Peak Buses’ Buxton depot – added: “We are very pleased to welcome customers to this brand-new direct bus service between Manchester Airport, Stockport, Buxton, Peak Wildlife Park and Alton Towers Resort which Skyline 199/X99 provides,”
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“We would encourage as many people as possible to use Skyline 199/X99, to ensure its long-term viability along with helping to free-up the roads through the local countryside to Alton Towers Resort.” he added.
A number of COVID-safety precautions will be in place onboard the Skyline 199/X99, and all passengers are required to wear a face covering, unless exempt.
The new timetable comes into effect from 30 May until 30 August 2021 / Credit: Alton Towers
That’s not all either – consider yourself a nature enthusiast?
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If you fancy getting out to breathe in some fresh air over the summer season, there’s also the chance to benefit from a new deal, as those with a valid 199/X99 bus ticket will receive 25% discount off the cost of an entrance ticket to the Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek – which is also part of the extended route.
You can find more information about the new Skyline 199/X99 here.
Two North West cities named among the ‘noisiest’ in the UK – including Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A new analysis has revealed a list of the noisiest cities in the UK, and two Greater Manchester locations are in the top five.
From blaring sirens and car horns, to house parties, barking dogs, and loud neighbours, escaping the noise of a city can feel almost impossible – even in your own home.
No matter whether you live in the hustle and bustle, or you’re out in the sleepier suburbs, noise can keep you up at night, disturb your peace, and lead to frustration. But just how loud are Greater Manchester’s cities compared to the rest of the UK? In a bid to get to the bottom of it, Alpine Hearing Protection has done some research to compile a top 10 list.
And both Salford and Manchester have found themselves not just within the top 10, but within the top five… and to make matters worse, Salford has actually claimed the number one spot.
The reason Salford has found itself at the top of the list, according to the research, is because it sits at the intersection of several major transport and urban hubs, with major motorways running through or around the city including the M60, M61, and M62.
Major rail routes also run through the city – including via Salford Crescent – which sees 16 million passengers every year, and also leads to Manchester Airport.
Top 10 noisiest cities in the UK
Salford
Portsmouth
Manchester
Southampton
London
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
Wakefield
Newcastle upon Tyne
Bradford
Parts of Salford are also very built-up, making pockets of the city noisy – especially in the concentrated centre where traffic, construction, nightlife and commercial activity get loud.
And of course, like any growing city, construction noises have been noted as ‘particularly bothersome’ for residents where major developments are springing up.
Manchester is third on the list of noisiest cities, due to many of the same reasons as Salford.
But the difference being that Mancunians are noted as one of the many reasons why the city is so loud – with residents making 5,301 noise complaints across Manchester between January 2024 and January 2025, and Hulme identified the loudest area with 304 complaints.
As well all know, Manchester is also home to many universities, which brings an active nightlife scene to the region, especially in the city centre, and in recent FOI data, it was revealed that the University of Manchester saw 2,049 noise complaints in the last five years.
Motorists warned of common winter driving habit that could land them with annoying fines
Emily Sergeant
With the temperatures drastically dropping now as we head into winter, motorists are being warned against a common driving habit.
On a wintry morning when the windscreens are frozen and your hands are equally as frozen too, it’s pretty common for drivers to start the engine, turn the heater right up, and remain stationary for several minutes to warm the car up before setting off on their journey… but did you know that doing this could see you, inadvertently, fall foul of the law?
That’s right – as ridiculous as it sounds, leaving your car engine running ‘unnecessarily’ while parked on a public road is illegal.
And to make matters worse, the rules on ‘engine idling’, as it’s known, apply regardless of whether the driver is using the heating, waiting for someone, or simply sitting in the vehicle.
Known as a stationary idling offence, Rule 123 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while it is stationary on a public road, and according to the rule, a fixed penalty of up to £80 can be issued, right there and then.
Motorists are being warned of a common winter driving habit that could land them with annoying fines / Credit: PickPik | Wikimedia Commons
Fines will only be handed out if a motorist is stopped by a police officer who asks them to switch the engine off, and they fail to comply.
“However tempting it might be to sit in a vehicle with the engine running and the heater on to warm up, we strongly advice against it,” commented RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis.
“As well as polluting the air and wasting fuel, drivers who leave their engines idling unnecessarily on a public road also risk an on-the-spot fine of £80. On cold mornings, the best approach is to clear any ice or snow properly and ensure windows are fully de-misted before setting off, then get on your way and let the car warm you up.”
There are some exceptions to the rule, however, as keeping the engine running is permitted in certain circumstances.
This includes when a vehicle is stationary because of traffic conditions, when the engine needs to run so a mechanical fault can be investigated, or if certain work is being carried out on the side of the road.
Emily Sergeant -
27th May 2021 
