Have your say on bus service improvements in east Lancashire

From 1 April, responsibility for transport functions will move to the LCCA, which will lead on shaping and delivering local transport improvements. These proposals form part of that transition and align with the development of a new Local Transport Plan, currently being prepared following recent public consultation.

Funding from HM Government, alongside contributions from developers secured through the planning process, will enable the LCCA to enhance routes, improve service frequency, and better connect rural communities with jobs, healthcare and education.

The plans include a mix of new services, revised timetables, and route adjustments designed to improve reliability and ensure services work better together. Some communities would benefit from a regular public transport service for the first time in many years.

Lancashire County Council is hosting the consultation on behalf of the LCCA and would like to hear from anyone who may be negatively affected by changes to routes or timetables during the consultation period running from Thursday 26 March to Friday 17 April.

Some of the key improvements due to start from 28th June include:

• Service 80 – Clitheroe – Barnoldswick – Colne. A new service proposed to replace existing Service C3. This would create a direct link between Clitheroe and Colne. This would serve rural communities in the east of Ribble Valley including Pimlico, West Bradford, Sawley, Bolton-by-Bowland, Gisburn, Barnoldswick and Foulridge. It is proposed to run the service every 2 hours during the day Monday to Saturday.
• Service 25 – Clitheroe – Whalley – Mellor – Blackburn. It is proposed to increase frequency from 2 hourly to every hour, and tweak the route to serve Pendleton Village and Peel Park in Clitheroe, replacing part of Service C4 which is proposed to be withdrawn.
• Service 65 – Burnley – Padiham – Fence – Car Hall – Nelson. It is proposed to increased frequency from 2 hourly to every hour, and introduce a new Sunday daytime service to run every 2 hours. It is also proposed to adjust the route to serve Carr Hall Riverside Community and Business Park instead of Barrowford, which will continue to be served by other services.
• Service 61 Nelson – Lomeshaye Industrial Estate. A new service to operate every hour during the day from Monday to Saturday, creating a sustainable transport link to this key employment area.
• Service C4 Clitheroe – Peel Park Circular. It is proposed to withdraw this service and cover Peel Park by adjusting the routes of Service C1 – the Clitheroe to Low Moor Circular, and Service 5 which operates between Clitheroe and Chipping alongside Service 25.

Councillor Phil Riley, Chair of the Transport Advisory Board for the Lancashire Combined County Authority, said:

"As the Combined County Authority prepares to take on transport responsibilities from 1 April, we are focused on delivering practical improvements that make bus travel more reliable, better connected and more useful for local people.

"These proposals are part of our wider ambition, set out through the emerging Local Transport Plan, to strengthen public transport across Lancashire following feedback from residents and stakeholders.

"We are looking to increase frequencies, improve coordination between services and extend coverage so that more communities – particularly in rural areas – have access to dependable bus services.

"We want to ensure these changes work for the people who rely on them, so it’s important that anyone who may be affected shares their views during the consultation."

You can find full details of the proposed changes to services and timetables, and how to respond to the consultation at:

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/public-transport/bus-service-changes