DARWEN councillors are seeking to save the town’s D4 Birch Hall bus service after its operator announced it plans to axe the route.

Deputy mayor Pete Hollings has been in discussion with borough officers and regeneration boss Phil Riley over what options are available to keep it running after July 27.

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Boss of Darwen Coach Services Peter Graham, which runs four other services round the town and another, (the D12) to Blackburn, said his company could not afford to keep the D4 running at a loss and provide the remainder of its routes.

He said he was prepared to tender for a smaller twice a day service if the council was prepared to subsidise it.

The D4 runs hourly through Greenways Street and Lynwood Avenue up to Birch Hall and back and, apart from the 5.05pm round trip Mondays to Fridays, is a commercial service.

Sunnyhurst’s Cllr Hollings and his Sudell Labour colleagues Eileen Entwistle and Jane Oates decided to act after elderly residents contacted them about their fear of isolation if the service was scrapped.

They have asked Blackburn with Darwen council if they could subsidise the D4 as a ‘socially necessary service’ or whether the other routes could be reorganised to cover the loss.

Cllr Hollings said: “We fear that changes to the bus routes will have a negative effect on vulnerable and the elderly and could lead to social isolation.

“Whilst the decision has been made by the service provider, we believe that there are a number of alternatives to shutting down bus routes that people find vital to their mobility and wellbeing.

“I have therefore led a delegation from the Darwen Wards affected to see borough officers and Cllr Riley and will be in contact with local groups and residents to ensure that their voice is heard.

“The various options are now being examined.

“We are determined that any decisions within the wards we represent are made in the best interests of the residents.”

Mr Graham said: “I did this with a heavy heart.

“We never like axing a bus route but it makes a loss and few people us it.

“I can’t afford to keep it running and provide the rest of the bus routes we operate in Darwen.

“Council officials have been in touch about a ‘de minimis’ subsidised service of two buses a day.

“We would be interested in tendering for that.”