A QUESTION mark is hanging over the future of a bus route following a review by bus giant Stagecoach.

The company is considering axing the Burnley and Pendle 78 service between Nelson and Burnley via Harle Syke.

Parts of the route between Waidshouse Road, Nelson, and the town centre, and Harle Syke and Burnley, would be covered by other existing services but the rural middle section between Waidshouse Road and Harle Syke would no longer have a service, if proposals go ahead.

Stagecoach operations director Trevor Roberts stressed that a final decision had not been made on the future of the route, which campaigners to keep it claim is well-used by schoolchildren and the elderly.

"We're not looking to make any final decision until the first week in September at the earliest," said Mr Roberts.

"Before we register any changes with the Traffic Commissioners we will be talking to the county council to see what it wants to do. We will also be talking with Burnley and Pendle councils."

Mr Roberts said the county council may decide it wants to keep the whole route open and either cover the contract or put it out to tender with another operator. Any changes were unlikely to happen before the end of October.

Nelson councillors are concerned at the prospect of losing the service.

Coun Colin Waite said: "Many elderly people who use this service are deeply concerned at the possible changes or loss of route.

"Children from Harle Syke who use Pendle schools could face a long walk home."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.