Borough bus service saved after previous operator closed for business

21 August 2026 43

A CT4N bus - credit: Onclusive News

A borough bus service has been saved following the intervention of the regional Mayor, Erewash MP and two local councillors, including a former borough Mayor.

East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward began working with partners and bus operators following the closure of CT4N, which affected several bus services across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The closure of CT4N was described as sad news for the region, resulting in job losses and uncertainty for employees and their families. It has also understandably caused concern for passengers who rely on these services to get to work, school, appointments and other essential destinations.

As the Local Transport Authority for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) set to work to minimise disruption for passengers and secure replacement services wherever possible. Some affected routes have already been taken on by alternative operators, while work has been ongoing to to find solutions for the remaining services.

Speaking shortly after the news broke of the operator’s closure, Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward said: “Losing a local bus service is life-changing, and we have taken seriously the impact that the collapse of CT4N has had.

“Some services have already been replaced by other operators, and we are working at pace with them and other local partners to explore every available option to further minimise disruption and keep communities connected wherever possible.

“I appreciate that for people employed by CT4N in this region, this will be a difficult time, and we will be happy to support people who have lost their jobs by signposting them into EMCCA’s relevant employment and skills programmes.

“EMCCA will provide updates as soon as further arrangements can be confirmed.”

Erewash MP Adam Thompson and former Erewash Mayor, Cllr Harry Atkinson threw their weight behind efforts and after a few days of doubt and concern, it was announced that the No.29 bus, from Long Eaton to Sandiacre via New Sawley was set to return from Monday 24th August 2026, run by Ilkeston-based Littles, part of the Wellglade Group which also owns TrentBarton and Notts + Derby.

Mr. Thompson recently held an urgent meeting with the Regional Mayor and had kept in close communication with her office whilst work continued.

Adam also praised the efforts of borough councillors Becca Everett and former Mayor, Harry Atkinson. Taking to social media, he said: “My huge thanks go out to Mayor Claire and everyone at the East Midlands Combined Authority to work so hard over the past week to get the bus back up and running.

“I would also like to shout out my good friends Councillor Rebecca Everett and Councillor Harry Atkinson, who also spoke to me intensely about how much people rely on this route. I’m really happy about this – I hope we can now get back to the 29 being a good, reliable service for people in Long Eaton and Sandiacre!”

The services affected by CT4N’s collapse are:

Derbyshire

Service 29 Long Eaton to Sandiacre via New Sawley
Derbyshire Connect shopping bus eastern area
Travel Derbyshire Demand Responsive Transport

Nottingham

Easylink
Service 19 to Sherwood via Mapperley and Arnold
Service 20 Nottingham City Centre to Wollaton Estates via Queens Medical Centre
Service L2 Nottingham City Centre to Assarts Farm via Queens Medical Centre, Glaisdale Parkway and Nottingham Business Park
Service L4 Nottingham City Centre to Ainsley Estate, Beechdale and Strelley
Service L14 Nottingham City Centre to Bulwell via City Hospital and Basford

Nottinghamshire

Service 18, 18a,18b and 18x Nottingham City Centre to Stapleford and Wollaton via Beeston and Bramcote (Nottingham City Transport have now stepped in to continue this service, more details here.)
Service 66 Sutton Bonington to Loughborough
Service 300 Lowdham to Newark via Southwell
Service 510 Beeston to Stapleford via Toton and Attenborough
Service 511 Stapleford Shopper service

Passengers who have prebooked journeys after 14th August on the Easylink, Derbyshire Connect Shopping Bus and Travel Derbyshire Demand Responsive Transport services need to appreciate these journeys will not take place.

Some affected services have already been replaced by alternative operators, including the Number 18 service. Nottingham City Transport has stepped in to replace their 18 service between Nottingham, QMC, Beeston Rylands, Beeston, Bramcote and Stapleford from Monday 17th August 2026.

An hourly service on the core 18 route will operate for the first two weeks, with the full 18, 18A, 18B and 18X timetable commencing on Tuesday 1st September 2026.

EMCCA will continue to work to secure arrangements for the remaining routes as quickly as possible. Updates on new operators will be announced ASAP.

This is a difficult time for CT4N employees affected by the closure. Support is available through employment and skills programmes – find out more about redundancy support and advice.

A full statement from CT4N can be found here.

Written by: -

Bus Services buses CT4N Long Eaton Sandiacre Sawley Service 29