ELDERLY passengers have had their bus service into town scrapped because speed humps are damaging the vehicles.

Routes 8B and 8D linking Blackburn centre with Shadsworth via Audley or Hereford Road, were altered on Sunday.

But people in sheltered accommodation in the area say they will now have to walk up to quarter of a mile further to reach their homes.

The route used to run from Audley to Lincoln Road, on to Pringle Street and then North Road.

It now runs from Audley straight on to North Road, cutting out the Queen's Park part of the journey.

The route into town used to run up Accrington Road, into the Whitebirk Estate, up Hereford Road, to Whitebirk Road and on to Shadsworth Road.

It now runs up Accrington Road to the Whitebirk roundabout, up Whitebirk Road and on to Shadsworth Road.

Norman Turner, 44, moved to Ferrier Court sheltered accommodation in Carluke Street after he had a leg amputation two years ago.

He said: "The majority of people using these buses are 80 and 90 years old.

"Carrying shopping bags a quarter of a mile from a bus stop to their house is going to be distressing for them. At the moment they only have to go 10 yards.

"When the bad whether comes, they might slip in snow or ice or, heaven forbid, get mugged in the dark."

Russell Revill, managing director of Lancashire United, said: "We made no secret when we purchased Blackburn Transport that we intended to upgrade the vehicles used. We have bought low floor, easy access buses that have lower suspension and are lower to the ground.

"The traffic calming measures in the area are damaging the suspension systems on the buses, so it is for purely practical reasons that the re-routing has been carried out.

"We do appreciate the problems caused for older and disabled people, but there are other services, albeit a further walk away.

"The council also provides a dial-a-ride service that may be of use to some older people."

Yvonne Hulse from the Older People's Forum, said: "There is an ongoing issue with transport in the area now that the new buses are being brought in meaning that routes are being altered."

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods, said: "We are working with trans-port providers to find a solution for the residents to ensure they are not left without transport links."