Bus service changes 'to improve reliability' for Blackburn

Rush hour buses between Accrington and Burnley - Transdev's number 9 service - are among those to benefit.

The Irwell Line 481 and 483 routes, which run from Rawtenstall to Burnley and Blackburn, have also been earmarked for revisions.

A Transdev spokesperson, on the Accrington to Burnley changes, said: "We've been struggling with our reliability, especially in the afternoon, so we're introducing a new timetable which will mean we're able to be more punctual."

On the 481 and 483, he added: "We'll be introducing a new timetable to help us run more reliably.

"We'll also have new early evening buses between Rawtenstall and Burnley through Waterfoot and Water."

Extra work has also been promised so the 464 buses, linking Accrington and Rochdale via Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Bacup, can run on time.

Bus chiefs say the Monday to Saturday evening service "will be simplified and adjusted to provide a consistent 30-minute frequency on the section between Accrington and Bacup".

Timings are also set to be changed for buses serving the giant Boohoo centre in Burnley, with the V1 and V3 routes also getting an updated timetable.

Several services run by Transdev in partnership with Lancashire County Council have also been tweaked to ensure greater reliability.

These include the number seven bus between Rawtenstall, Bacup and Todmorden and the number eight linking Burnley and Bacup via Weir.

Other improvements have been pledged for services between Rawtenstall – Newchurch – Edgeside (10), Rawtenstall – Haslingden - Helmshore (11), Rawtenstall – Balladen (12) and Rawtenstall-New Hey (13).

Bus officials say the 12 and 13 will be merged and New Hall Hey will be incorporated into the 12 service, using New Hall Hey Road, then turning at the roundabout outside M&S then back along the current 13 route.

First Manchester has also taken over the 447 bus connecting Wallbank and Whitworth to Rochdale from Transdev with some minor time changes.