PLANS to axe bus services across East Lancashire have already prompted an outcry from angry passengers.

Sweeping changes are set to affect every bus route in Blackburn and Darwen and passengers in Burnley and Pendle will learn which of their services will be cut shortly.

No doubt the changes will cause inconvenience to many who rely on buses to get them from A to B.

But it is the most vulnerable who rely on these services as a lifeline to get them out and about who will feel the cuts most.

One village, Hoddlesden, faces the prospect of being left without a bus link, something the locals say will effectively leave it “cut off”.

Bosses at bus company Lancashire United have blamed the cost cutting move on the recession and a 10 per cent drop in passenger numbers.

The company has also been forced to weather a cut in the refund it is given to provide free travel for pensioners.

That bitter row between the county’s bus companies and councils over funding for pensioners’ free travel is now heading for a courtroom battle later this year.

For several years now the Government has been calling on people to leave their cars at home and take the bus instead.

But for this to happen the services provided need to be frequent and accessible to those who want to use them.

East Lancashire’s bus companies say they are struggling to get people on board now.

Surely action is needed to preserve the services we have today to encourage greener travel in the future through more Government help combined with more people showing their support by catching their local bus.