Potential solution to axed hospital shuttle bus - MP

There could be a solution in the coming weeks to the scrapping of a shuttle bus that runs between two Lancashire hospitals, according to the MP for Burnley.

Oliver Ryan said he was in talks with various parties over potentially taking over the free service which links the Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General.

"There is interest from different operators," he said. "The hope is in the next week or two we can come forward and say we now have an operator that's willing to continue this service."

The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust currently runs the service, which was introduced in 2007, but says it will end in April as it can no longer afford the annual £780,000 operating costs.

Ryan said he hoped Lancashire County Council (LCC), which is responsible for transport in Burnley, would play its part.

He said: "They've had bus service improvement money as a one-year settlement but they don't seem to be willing to engage in conversation."

He called this "disappointing" but said he was now dealing with the Trust, operators and Blackburn with Darwen Council to try to find a resolution.

Ryan said people had contacted him to say they would even welcome a paid-for service.

"I'd like a free bus, but no-one is knocking on my door saying they have £800,000 to run this."

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: "The East Lancashire NHS Trust, who run the privately owned shuttle bus service, made the decision to cut this and did not consult Lancashire County Council.

"We understand the concerns the Trust's decision has caused. However, there is a well-connected public transport service running between all three hospital sites (Pendle Community, Burnley General and Blackburn). Journeys can be planned using the Traveline website.

"As the Local Transport Authority, Lancashire County Council is the only organisation (within Lancashire) that can commission a subsidised public bus service.

"Any service would need to consider the wider public need, duty to taxpayers, and provide value for money.

"We cannot provide any funding towards a replacement bus service between hospital sites."