BOROUGH council officials have warned cuts to a “lifeline” transport service could have a devastating impact on vulnerable people.

In February, Lancashire County Council members approved proposals to renegotiate the authority’s contract with the Community Transport Consortium, reduce funding by a third and revise the in-house dial-a-ride provision to provide a reduced service subject to consultation.

The council’s cabinet had agreed in January to cut it by £175,000 over two years as part of saving £144million by 2021/22.

Community transport is provided for people unable to use mainstream public transport and includes Dial-a-Ride, group transport, and community car schemes.

The county council has already scrapped its Burnley Employment Shuttle subsidised taxi service to help the low-paid access work.

Community transport partnerships such as the Little Green Bus service in Ribble Valley provide accessible door-to-door and group travel services to older people and people with disabilities.

And in its official response to the consultation, Ribble Valley Council officials warned the knock-on effect of going through with the proposed cut could have a devastating effect on those reliant on the service.

County council cabinet members will make a final decision when they meet on Thursday.

A Ribble Valley Council spokesman said: “A reduction in funding for community transport services will affect many residents in Ribble Valley and we are concerned that any proposed funding cuts will impact heavily on the health and wellbeing for many people across Lancashire.

“Community transport service are a lifeline to many people who don’t have access to a car or can’t drive, there are no other bus services.

“While we understand as a result of financial pressures Lancashire County Council needs to make savings, reductions in spending in this area will affect the most vulnerable in society, including the disabled and the elderly.

“This will be striking right at the heart of very vulnerable people in our communities.

“Further cuts to community transport will mean that many of our service users will be unable to avail of services, education, work placements,

training placements, jobs, and social and leisure opportunities.

“The knock-on effect of these cuts will be devastating to individuals, parents and carers at a time when welfare reform is already causing significant worry."

“More often than not, the community transport provision makes the difference between someone being at home and someone being at their job or place of education.

“The effect on passengers could mean a decrease in access to health appointments at doctors’ surgeries and hospitals, leading to physical and mental health issues not being addressed.

“Research shows that for older and poorer people, as well as for those with disabilities, community transport can be the difference between being able to get around and feeling trapped, especially in rural areas with few other options.”