New direct Clitheroe to Colne bus among East Lancashire service changes
More frequent buses and new routes across Ribble Valley, Burnley and Pendle from 25th October
Bus passengers across Ribble Valley, Burnley and Pendle are set to get new routes, more frequent services and better connections.
The changes come into effect from Sunday 25th October.
They are being introduced by Lancashire Combined County Authority, in partnership with Lancashire County Council.
The improvements were consulted on earlier this year.
The authority said several elements of the final package have been refined following feedback received during the public consultation.
What is changing
The package includes a new direct bus link between Clitheroe and Colne, improved access to key employment sites in Pendle, and enhanced services for rural communities across Ribble Valley.
A number of existing routes will also get more frequent buses.
The key changes include:
A new Service 80 between Clitheroe and Colne, creating a direct link between the two towns and serving rural communities including Sawley, Bolton-by-Bowland, Gisburn, Barnoldswick and Foulridge.
A new Service 61 connecting Nelson Interchange with Lomeshaye Industrial Estate.
A new Service 60B between Nelson and Brierfield, replacing part of existing Service 69.
Improvements to Service 65, including increased frequency, a new Sunday daytime service and a revised route serving the Carr Hall Riverside Community and Business Park.
Improvements to Service 25, including an enhanced hourly frequency and revised routing to serve Pendleton village and Peel Park.
Improvements to Services 66, 67 and 68, providing better coordinated timetables and more frequent links between Nelson and Higherford.
A package of changes to services in and around Clitheroe, designed to improve connections, maintain local coverage and respond to feedback from the consultation.
Revised timetables and route changes across a number of other services to improve reliability and better coordinate the wider network.
Funding and aims
The improvements are being paid for using HM Government Local Authority Bus Grant funding and contributions secured through the planning process.
The authority said the changes will help expand the local bus network, particularly in rural areas where many people rely on public transport.
It said the improvements are designed to improve access to employment, education, healthcare and local services.
What the authority said
Councillor Phil Riley, Chair of Lancashire Combined County Authority's Transport Advisory Board, said:
"We've listened carefully to the feedback received during the consultation and have used it to help shape the final package of improvements."
"We've focused this investment on areas where it can make the biggest difference, improving access to jobs, education, healthcare and local services, while strengthening public transport links for communities across Ribble Valley, Burnley and Pendle."
"They also include new links for some communities and more frequent services where demand exists, helping to make bus travel a more attractive and sustainable choice for the future."
"This investment demonstrates our commitment to improving public transport and building a stronger, better connected bus network for Lancashire."
Tickets and timetables
All services will be operated by Vision Bus Ltd on behalf of Lancashire Combined County Authority.
Passengers can use the AnyBus East Lancashire ticket on the new services and on other bus services across East Lancashire.
More information on the ticket is available at https://www.nowcard.org/anybus/east-lancashire/
Full details of the changes and updated timetables will be available ahead of the improvements coming into effect.