Hoddlesden residents ‘disgusted’ at axing of bus service (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hoddlesden residents ‘disgusted’ at axing of bus service

11:00am Wednesday 12th August 2009 in

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YESTERDAY it was revealed that bus services across Blackburn with Darwen will be slashed to save money, with Hoddlesden one of the worst affected areas as all its buses will be axed. We went to the village to see how the decision will affect residents.

“IT’S a damn disgrace” was the first reaction of villager John Hogg when he learnt about plans to stop bus services in Hoddlesden.

And his words were echoed by dozens of others reading about the news in the Lancashire Telegraph yesterday.

Although many in the area own cars, there was a strength of feeling that many older people without access to other transport would be left “cut-off” from vital services such as doctors’ surgeries, the hospital, and even from day-to-day activities by the decision.

The service through Hoddlesden runs once an hour and Lancashire United, the company that runs the buses, said that on average, less than two people use the service per journey.

Despite the numbers East Rural councillor Julie Slater has vowed to fight the cut, and will be petitioning in the area from tonight.

She is also calling on villagers to use the service to prove how valuable it is.

Trevor Dewse said: “It’s a sign of the times, and if they are losing money it’s to be expected.

“But there’s always somebody that relies on them everyday.

“I know most people have cars now, but there’s still a few of the old generation left who don’t drive. What are they going to do now?

A resident of Kings Drive, who did not want to be named, said: “I think it’s disgusting.

“I don’t think bus services should be run for profit. It’s a public service when all is said and done.

“There’s a lot of elderly people around here who will now have to rely on taxis and people giving them lifts.

“They give you a bus pass when you’re a pensioner, but you can’t use it.

"This village will be cut off.”

Councillor Slater has vowed to fight to keep the services and hopes to start a petition against the change.

She said: “Our village needs its buses, but rural areas are always the first to suffer.

“I know that it is a business and they want to make money, but they should have known what they were getting into when they bought it off the council.

"I feel that the bus company is using this as blackmail against the council to get more subsidies.

“They are forcing people into cars.”

Ellen Pull, 43, from Eccleshill, works in Hoddlesden and knows the effect losing bus services can have.

She said: “This has happened to us in Eccleshill and now we have an independant community bus that only comes a couple of times a day.

“My mum has to live by when the buses come and can only get into town at certain times of the day.

“It’s shocking news.

“And what are the school children going to do? You can’t expect them to walk. The road through Hoddl-esden is very busy.”

The changes will affect every bus route in Blackburn with Darwen.

Some areas including Mill Hill will see a more frequent service, but other areas left without buses are Pleckgate, East Park Road, Hamilton Street, Parkinson Street and Spring Vale.

Buses will also be withdrawn from Revidge Road, Preston New Road and Guide, though these areas will be covered by alternative services.