New funding to boost bus journeys in the borough

Blackburn with Darwen Council has received Government funding to help restore some bus links across the Borough.

Through the Department for Transport’s Supported Bus Service Funding, the borough has been allocated £56,788 of funding in 2020/21 out of £30m nationally.

This will bring back services which can’t be provided on a commercial basis by local bus operators, but which help to connect residents with important destinations.

These are set to include:

• Restoration of the direct link from Darwen to Royal Blackburn hospital. This has been requested by the public and it will include restored bus services for areas formerly served by the 33 withdrawn by the operator in June 2018:
  • Waterside, Eccleshill, Chapels and Lower Darwen
  • Royal Blackburn Hospital
  • North Road / Audley Range area
  • The exact route and frequency will be formalised.
• A peak time Blackburn Town Centre – Whitebirk Industrial Estate workers service operating Monday to Friday. This will be operated in partnership with local businesses following further consultation on demands and timings.
• Strengthened off-peak rural links between Edgworth and Darwen, building on the successful TA01 and TA02 rural bus services operated by local company Travel Assist.

Councillor Phil Riley, Executive member for Growth and Development, said:

This is much needed funding from the DfT and we are using it to bring back services that have been requested by people across the borough. Previously, we haven’t been able to take on these services due to lack of funding so it’s great we can now do this.”

Councillor Jane Oates, Lead member for Growth and Development, said:

These services are really needed and have been missed by residents and I am especially pleased that we are able to bring back the Darwen to Royal Blackburn Hospital service.

Funding for supported bus services 2020-21 (BwDBC)