‘Santa Truck’ Set for Festive Tour Across the Borough
Graham Poole Transport is gearing up to spread Christmas cheer once again as its much-loved Santa Truck prepares to tour the borough this December. The brightly lit, specially decorated vehicle has become a festive favourite, drawing families out to wave, take photos and soak up the seasonal magic.
The Santa Truck will be out for two evenings this year - Friday 12 December and Saturday 13 December - following two extensive routes through Rochdale, Milnrow, Littleborough, Wardle and Walsden.
Friday 12 December – Route & Timings
The tour begins at 4.30pm, leaving Graham Poole’s yard on Chichester Street before travelling along Oldham Road and turning onto Queensway, where the first stop will be made at Jolly Josh at 4.45pm, departing at 5.00pm.
From there, the truck will continue along Queensway and Kingsway, heading into Kingsway Business Park before joining the A640 and turning onto Newhey Road. It will pass the John Milne and go through Milnrow village, making its next stop at the Milnrow tram stop at 5.15pm, leaving at 5.30pm.
The Santa Truck will then travel along Dale Street and Rochdale Road, before heading along Albert Royds Street and onto Halifax Road towards Littleborough. It is expected to arrive outside the Wheatsheaf pub at around 5.45pm. Residents are asked to wait on the pavement directly outside the pub to ensure the road remains clear for the truck to park safely. Departure is scheduled for 6.00pm.
The final stop of the evening will be Hollingworth Lake’s main car park, with the truck arriving at approximately 6.15pm and leaving at 6.30pm.
Saturday 13 December – Route & Timings
Saturday’s tour will again begin from Chichester Street at 4.30pm, heading onto Milnrow Road and Albert Royds Street before travelling up Halifax Road. The first stop will be at The Hare & Hounds car park, arriving around 4.45pm and leaving at 5.00pm.
The truck will then continue down Birch Road, along Halifax Road and up Whitelees Road before reaching the King Bill in Shore at approximately 5.15pm, departing at 5.30pm.
Next, the Santa Truck will head down Shore Road, along Hare Hill Road and Church Street before turning onto Todmorden Road for its arrival at the Summit Inn around 5.45pm, leaving at 6.00pm.
The final visit of the tour will be at the Waggon & Horses in Walsden, expected at 6.15pm.
The team at Graham Poole Transport say they will do their best to keep to the timetable but ask residents for patience if traffic or temporary roadworks cause slight delays.
In a statement, the company said: “We try to stick to our times the best we can but please bear with us if we run slightly over at any stops. We’re really looking forward to seeing you all again.”
Residents are encouraged to come out, enjoy the festive spectacle and give Santa a warm welcome as the truck brings seasonal sparkle to communities across the borough.