CHEAP coastal trips for older people have been axed as part of council cost-cutting measures.

Opposition leaders have criticised the decision by Hyndburn Council to end the popular £1 bus trips for older people, despite a financial underspend.

However, leader Coun Miles Parkinson insisted the decision to end subsidies for the service was necessary due to the current financial climate.

The trips, for those aged 60 and over, were introduced because Hyndburn bus pass users were unable to travel to coastal areas for free. Coun Parkinson said: “Over-60s in Hyndburn are able to access subsidised local bus travel with their NoW cards.

“While the council has provided heavily subsidised bus trips to the coast in the past, unfortunately, this is no longer sustainable in the current econ-omic climate.

“Though we have an underspend, we have to use that towards £4million cuts we face in next few years.”

The service to Blackpool and the Fylde coast oper-ated three times a week during the summer mon-ths.

It provided £1 fares to NoW cardholders and disabled residents, and £8 to other passengers.

NoW cardholders in many areas of the North West can travel to Blackpool and Fleetwood for free.

However, people in district council areas such as Hyndburn receive a range of discretionary benefits, depending on what the council chooses to fund.

Opposition leader Peter Britcliffe said: “This decision is disgraceful when there is a £250,000 underspend in council funds.

“The council are choosing to make older people suffer while cash sits there in the coffers.

“It was brought in because Hyndburn people couldn’t use bus passes to visit the coast, as people can in Preston and Manchester.

“It will have a devastating effect because the bus trips encourage people to have a more sociable and healthier lifestyle.

“It is a necessary expense and it is not true to say there is no money to fund it.”