PASSENGERS on a popular East Lancashire bus route could soon be enjoying a more comfortable journey thanks to a new council scheme.

Borough and county transport chiefs are joining forces to improve the Hyndburn Circular route which takes in Accrington, Great Harwood, Rishton and Blackburn.

The route is one of just two areas selected by the county transport committee to pilot the new Quality Partnership project. The other will run in Preston.

Bus operators will join forces with Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council to ensure a better deal for people using the service.

The scheme aims to provide quieter vehicles that run on low emission fuels and reduce obstructions on routes.

Ian Ormerod, a borough and county councillor, said: "We are working together to try and redress some of the problems which have emerged since the deregulation of buses.

"I hear many complaints about buses arriving late or leaving early, bus drivers not knowing their route and routes changing without warning.

"Sometimes it is not the driver's fault because he has been drafted in from another area. But people feel services aren't as reliable as they used to be.

"The Hyndburn Circular route was selected because it covers both urban and rural areas and is terrifically important to outlying districts such as Belthorn and Green Haworth."

Funding details are yet to be finalised, but it is thought all the partners will contribute to route and fleet improvements.

Coun Ormerod added: "The partnership approach is a method of improving the service. For instance, disabled people need better access to buses, which we will look to provide.

"I would also like to see an increase in services to make them more regular. That would be a terrific boon to people in this area."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.