Why is this Derbyshire town feeling so cut off?

Buxton is 20 miles from Manchester but trains can take more than an hour

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TOURISTS and locals are glancing at the “rare”, 18-year-old Nissan Micra for sale on a Peak District high street - yours for just £1,795. It’s the type of cheap family hatchback many rely on, especially in Peak District towns like this which can feel cut off from the outside world due to poor trains and buses.

Buxton, the town in question, feels more cut off from Greater Manchester than somewhere that's just 20 miles as-the-crow-flies from Manchester city centre.

A quick glance at railway notices illustrates why that may be the replacement of the Greek Street roundabout in Stockport has disrupted trains, so the Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton line ran to a reduced timetable in both directions until August 22, Northern said.

Engineering work meant that over August, it took rail passengers from Manchester Piccadilly at least 83 minutes to reach Buxton. The “quick” journey required two changes: Passengers boarding at Piccadilly, had to get off at New Mills Central, then walk 19 minutes to New Mills Newtown station, then board a train to Buxton.

The slower journey is simpler, but takes 116 minutes - board at Piccadilly, change at Hazel Grove, alight at Buxton.

Even now trains are returning to normal, it’s more than an hour's journey between Manchester and Buxton.