LANCASHIRE’S transport boss John Fillis has warned that key rural bus services are again under threat without an injection of government cash.

He is calling on Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to establish a ring-fenced fund to protect country bus routes.

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Cllr Fillis said that without help, the vital local-authority subsidies are under threat because of Whitehall grant cuts.

Previous attempts in 2013 and 2014 by the authority to save cash by axing the subsidies which keep village buses running led to storms of protest, forcing a climbdown.

Now Cllr Fillis has written to leaders of Lancashire’s district councils, MPs and Euro MPs asking them to urge the government to provide specific funding for rural public transport. The county subsidises services in Ribble Valley, Rossendale, Pendle, Hyndburn, Burnley and Chorley.

In the letter, Cllr Fillis says: “I ask for your support in recognising the importance of public transport in rural areas and call on the government to establish an identifiable, dedicated fund to maintain and improve bus services in these areas. This is a cross-party and cross-boundary issue that unites us all. Despite the unprecedented economic climate, the council has managed to maintain bus services across the county at a cost of £7 million a year.

“As the effects of continued austerity deepen this is no longer sustainable. A number of commercial bus operators have withdrawn services from some villages, despite being subsidised. People using the bus services are often elderly, young or families living on low incomes. We believe that government should establish a rural-transport fund to help to support these communities. I hope you will support us by writing to Mr McLoughlin.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Bus services provide vital transport links. That is why we have provided £250 million to support bus services this year in England as well as almost £1 billion for concessionary travel, ensuring bus journeys are accessible to everyone.”