Have your say on community transport

Blackburn with Darwen Council is carrying out a review of its community transport service and how it could be delivered in the future.

The Council has to find a further £19 million of savings in financial year 2015/16 and beyond and is looking at all its current and future services.

As a result, a consultation has been launched to consider the future of the Council’s Community Transport operation.

Given the savings required, the Council may not be in a position to be the provider of Community Transport in the future and is consulting on other options which may be available.

Other public transport providers and organisations in the borough who provide a similar service will also be consulted to see what they can potentially provide and operate commercially in 2015.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We fully appreciate the importance of transport within the borough and the key role it plays in the day to day lives of Blackburn with Darwen residents.

“We are faced with an unenviable situation in terms of reduced resources year on year which is leading to the Council having to make these very difficult and unpalatable decisions.

“Current service users, residents and organisations will be given every chance to have their say through this consultation exercise. We hope that this process will maximise the options available to existing Community Transport users.

“The Council is committed to doing everything it can to support and protect its most vulnerable residents.”

Views will be taken into account when the Council is making a final decision in relation to Community Transport in 2015.

Letters will be sent to all current Community Transport Members but any member of the public can contribute to the consultation.

Consultation forms are also available on the community transport vehicles, Your call Your Choice shop opposite Blackburn Library, Darwen and Blackburn Libraries, local community centres, both Town Hall receptions and the Council website. Comments can also be emailed to : transport@blackburn.gov.uk

The deadline for comments is Wednesday, December 31, 2014.