A ROSSENDALE village could be left without a bus service as the county council is set to decide whether to withdraw a key route.

Newchurch will lose its 63A/63C service – provided by Rossendalebus – on January 28.

The circular route is the only one which links the village with Rawtenstall and Waterfoot.

Lancashire County Council has proposed an identical Monday to Saturday replacement service for a period of six months to allow for a full review of its subsidised runs to take place.

Currently, buses run hourly in each direction through Higher Cloughfold and Newchurch, with 71,000 passenger trips per year, according to county council data collected from ticket machines.

The six-month replacement service will cost £22,500, but there is no guarantee it will continue beyond that period. A report by the county council’s executive director for environment acknowledges that cancelling the service could leave villagers isolated.

It reads: “While alternative services are available between Rawtenstall and Waterfoot along Bacup Road there would be no services available for the whole Newchurch area.

“In the event that a replacement service between Rawtenstall and Waterfoot via Newchurch was not provided, this area would be left without access to public transport during Monday to Saturday daytime.”

The authority advised county councillors, including Rossendale North’s Tony Winder, of the service’s withdrawal and asked for their views but no comments were received.