TRADERS in Darwen say changes to the bus service are having “very, very serious” impacts on their livelihoods.

Since routes were cut back last week in an attempt to save bus company Lancashire United £1million across the region, there have been reports of buses not showing up and widespread confusion.

Town councillor and market trader Brenda Cronshaw said several town centre business people have expressed their worries to her about the changes.

She said: “The changes are having a very detrimental effect on footfall in the town centre.

“I’ve asked people all over the town centre and they all say the same.

“We’ve been hit by a double-whammy. First of all they knock down Hindle Street, Woodvale and Redearth Road, so a lot of people who used to walk into the town are no longer there, then they take the buses away.

“It is very serious now. How do they expect town centre businesses to survive?

“They’re encouraging people to leave cars at home and take public transport, but how can you when services keep being cut and they don’t stick to timetables?”

Lancashire United has blamed the move on a “dramatic” cut in the amount of cash it receives from councils for providing free travel for pensioners, and the row is heading for a courtroom battle later this year.

Coun Cronshaw added: “We need to get more buses on the roads and if the older people who currently get travel for free have to start paying 50p or so to do this, then they’ve told me they will.

“Some should be investigating this possibility.”

The main routes affected by cuts are route 2, 322, 7 and 7a, which cover the town centre, Springvale, Hoddlesden, Blackamoor and the A666, and in some cases, are only running at a third of the provision they used to be.

Town councillor Dave Smith said: “It is affecting businesses, definitely. It’s a very, very poor decision.

“To me it shows a total lack of commitment from the council to provide a decent bus service in Darwen.

“Why couldn’t they plan this out properly and give some routes to smaller, independant bus companies?”.