Created 17-Sep-11
Modified 8-Mar-24
Following withdrawal of the X12 service (q.v.) on 7th November 1980, the link between Halifax and Manchester was maintained by an extension of the local 223 and 224 Leeds to Halifax via Cleckheaton services operated by Yorkshire Woollen District. This started on the following day, 8th November 1980.
Initially most journeys on Monday to Saturday were on the 223, which ran via Gomersal Hill Top, but the Sunday service and a couple of journeys from Manchester operated as 224s. The frequency was essentially every two hours except Sundays when they were less frequent. At this time the 223 went from the Pack Horse Inn on Hartshead Moor to Bailiff Bridge via Scholes and Wyke, but a new timetable from 7th March 1981 saw both the 223 and 224 go direct between these two places.
A new timetable introduced on 1st December 1984 saw all journeys to Oldham and Manchester worked as 224s, which at the same time were diverted on the former 223 route through Scholes and Wyke. This timetable also shows passengers having to change buses at Halifax - reports from those who used the service indicate that they didn’t always connect!
The extended 224 was replaced by a reborn X12 in October 1985.
© David Beilby
