BUS users in Blackburn could struggle to travel around the borough after it was discovered three major routes are to be withdrawn.

Operator Lancashire United has announced that routes ‘3’ from Blackburn to Little Harwood and Sunnybower, ‘8’ to St Mary’s College and Wimberley, and ‘9’ to Revidge all face the chop.

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In addition to the withdrawal of the three bus routes, the number ‘2’, the main service to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, is being replaced by the Shadsworth Shuttle which will run via the hospital to and from Shadsworth.

All amendments and removals of routes are to take place on Sunday, August 28. The removal of subsides provided by Blackburn with Darwen Council and low passenger numbers have been blamed for the move.

Shaun Walmsley, general manager at Lancashire United, said: “Over the past few months we’ve had to carefully review some of our network due to external factors that have placed added pressures on our operation.

“Across the county, in the last six months, we’ve seen a cut of £1million in public funding to our operation which had previously provided support for those routes on which very few people travelled.

“We are seeing average loads over the whole journey on those routes we are withdrawing of less than nine passengers per trip which just isn’t sustainable. We will still run some 60 buses in Blackburn and remain the key operator of the town’s services.”

Town Hall bosses said they will be trying to minimise the impact on passengers.

Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for regeneration at the council, said: “We will be doing everything we can to minimise the impact on passengers following these decisions.

“The council is currently speaking with other bus companies about the likelihood of routes being provided on a commercial basis.”

If you are affected by the changes, call reporter Donald Imrie on 01254 298 309 or email donald.imrie@nqnw.co.uk.