A new network of local services are set to take to the roads in Accrington and surrounding areas today as part of a bus improvement plan.

Earlier this year Lancashire County Council stepped in to support a number of routes in Hyndburn operated by Pilkingtonbus.

Consultations were undertaken to ensure hourly services could be generally delivered across the borough, using county council and government funding.

And now the authority, through its bus service improvement plan, is today unveiling a refreshed programme of routes and timetables, as well as introducing a Saturday service on most services.

County Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, transport cabinet member, said: “We are keen to improve public transport links across Lancashire and this new network of services offers up more daytime and Saturday journeys across Hyndburn.

“This will improve local links to Accrington station, offering greater connectivity onto the wider public transport network.

“As well as this, we are excited to bring bus services to parts of Great Harwood and Green Haworth, that are not currently served by public transport.

“We encourage more residents to make use of these new and improved services as an alternative to driving, to open up their access to employment opportunities, leisure, healthcare and shopping.”

Under the Pilkingtonbus plans service A1 will serve Clayton-le-Moors-Dill Hall -Accrington-Fern Gore-Green Haworth, replacing parts of the old local services 1, 2, 5, 8 and 11.

Some schoolday journeys will serve Mount Carmel RC High, replacing the 867 and 869 school services.

The A2 service will connect Accrington, Dill Hall and Church Kirk, superceding elements of local services 2, 5 and 8. And the A3 bus links Accrington, Barnfield and Laneside, replacing the local 9 service.

Meanwhile the A4 services Accrington, Spring Hill. Broadfield and Oswaldtwistle, partially replacing local bus 1 and 4 in places. This will also occasionally serve Mount Carmel RC High on schooldays from Church and West End.

Proposals will also see the 15 Holmeswood Coaches operated service between Accrington, Rishton, Great Harwood, Whalley and Clitheroe amended to call Lowerfold in Great Harwood and Dill Hall in Accrington, to pass St Christopher's High and Accrington Academy.

An additional schooldays only journey from Rishton War Memorial to Accrington, will replace the 869 services for St Christopher's pupils.

The previous 1, 2, 4/4B, 5, 8, 9, 11 and school services 867 and 869 are being withdrawn as a result.