North West Buses Adapt to Roadworks With New Routes
Bus routes 166 and 188 diverted nightly until Jan 2026 due to Naylorsfield Road closure
Naylorsfield Road Closure Diverts Two Bus Routes
Two bus routes in North West England face extended diversions as roadworks on Naylorsfield Road continue through January 2026. Services 166 and 188 will operate on alternate routes during nighttime hours, transit officials said. The closure affects the section between Southbrook Road and Naylors Road from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. nightly, though officials haven't specified which operator runs the affected services.
Context
The roadworks were originally scheduled to conclude earlier but have been extended until Jan. 27, 2026, according to information shared by the transit agency. Officials classified the project as high severity due to its impact on local traffic flow and public transportation services. The nighttime closure allows construction crews to work while minimizing disruption to daytime commuters, though specific details about the nature of the roadwork weren't available. Transit agencies typically coordinate with local authorities on extended road closures to minimize service disruptions.
Details
Service 166 will reroute via Naylors Road and Caldway Drive to avoid the closed section of Naylorsfield Road during affected hours. Service 188 will divert at Caldway Drive and continue via Naylors Road. Officials said passengers should allow extra time for journeys during the nighttime hours when diversions are in effect. The agency didn't provide information about how much additional travel time riders should expect or whether bus stop locations along the diverted routes will change.
Timeline
The extended roadworks will remain in place through Jan. 27, 2026, with restrictions active nightly from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Officials haven't said whether the project could face further extensions beyond that date. The agency typically announces schedule changes several weeks in advance, though it's unclear when riders were first notified about this particular extension.
Impact
Evening and late-night travelers using services 166 and 188 should plan for longer journey times and potential changes to pickup locations along diverted routes. Officials said they'll provide updates if the roadworks schedule changes, though they didn't specify how riders will receive those notifications. Moovit provides real-time updates for bus services in the North West region, helping riders track diverted routes during construction periods.
