DISABLED and elderly users of Blackburn with Darwen’s fleet of community transport buses have made a final plea to save the service from council cuts.

A total of 19 have signed a petition that will be consider by the borough’s executive board tonight.

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In September, the council outlined plans to save £600,000 over three years through a review of the service, which help[s 3,000 people across the borough, as its seeks to cut £31million from its budget.

Passengers pay £1 per trip.

Following an angry reaction from users after finance chief Andy Kay said the entire fleet could be axed, which would mean 18,000 journeys a year lost, the council conducted a consultation exercise.

In 2011, the service which has had a chequered history, was brought ‘in house’ by the council.

The signatories want the council to keep the service saying users would lose their ‘independence’.

The petition says: “Without it we cannot attend appointments, have social outings, be independent, shop, visit family and friends.

“We are not in a position to access local transport or afford private taxis. Please save our valuable transport – -without it we lose our right to freedom.”

Campaigner Patsy Corcoran is a 58-year-old from Roe Lee who suffers from cerebral palsy and brittle bones. She is a member of the service’s steering group but is not hopeful of a change of heart.

She said: “I think the council hasd made up its mind and will not change it. It will be a really sad loss.

“We told them we would happily pay £2 a trip.

“They do not need to axe it but make it more efficient and ensure the buses run full.”

Borough transport boss Maureen Bateson said: “The consultation with users and other providers has now ended and we are reviewing the comments before a final decision is made.’”

Julian Arnold, business director of not-for-profit social enterprise Dial-a-Ride which runs a fleet of eight minibuses offering an alternative service at £3 a trip from its Feniscowles depot, said: “We had talks with the council about this which were not fruitful.

“If the council goes ahead with dropping their service, we will do all we can to plug the gap.”

Council Liberal Democrat leader David Foster said said everything possible should be done to save what he called ‘a vital service for many elderly and disabled people.”