Transport bosses have been slammed over plans to cut a hospital bus service.
The number 6 and 7 services from Accrington will no longer run through Shadsworth or to the Royal Blackburn Hospital from next month.
Bus chiefs say the buses are being rerouted to serve the Oswaldtwistle area and alternative services are available to get to the hospital.
However, the earliest bus from Accrington to the hospital, which currently runs at around 6am, will now leave Accrington bus station at 8.30am and the hospital at 9am, potentially causing problems for morning commuters.
Neil Grimshaw says the bus is well used and the change will mean he has to catch two buses or face a long walk to get to and from work.
He said: “If someone needs to get the hospital regularly they’ll have to get a taxi or two buses. I spoke to people at the stop who use it regularly and they didn't know and were really disappointed.”
Neil, who works for a bakers on the Shadsworth estate, said the bus was well used by people getting on there and people travelling to the hospital, including staff.
He added: “I think it’s a disgrace that Transdev are cutting this service. Why can’t they put a reduced service on, if they feel they are not making enough profit? No other bus company from Accrington goes to Shadsworth.”
Leaving Peel Street, Accrington, the buses both serve Clayton-le-Moors, Oswaldtwistle, Church, Great Harwood and Rishton. Transdev said the service is not well used to the hospital or Shadsworth and the Lancashire County Council (LCC) number 14 will run from Accrington to the hospital under the “minor changes”.
A spokesman said: “These services are re-routed to once again serve Intack, Knuzden and Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle, following many requests from our passengers. LCC tendered service 14 will still provide links between the hospital, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington and Great Harwood.
“This change is driven by the disappointing passenger numbers using the service to reach the hospital and the Shadsworth area.
“The Sunday frequency is improved to operate every 20 minutes during the day and the frequency through Oswaldtwistle is also improved to every six minutes.”
