COMMUTERS were today getting used to a raft of new routes introduced by Blackburn and Darwen's biggest bus operator.

Blackburn Transport said it had introduced the changes primarily to provide more services to Queen's Park Hospital, which will become the borough's sole hospital later this year.

Several services running through Ainsworth Street in the town centre are moving to bus stops further along the road.

Part of the street is due to be closed and pedestrianised later this year as part of the redevelopment of Blackburn Shopping Centre.

The biggest change is to the Track 5 outer circle service which links suburbs including Intack, Bastwell, Billinge, Green Lane, Higher Croft and Shadsworth.

It had been set for the axe after passenger numbers dropped off as the service became less reliable due to congestion.

Blackburn with Darwen has stepped in to part-fund the service, which will run hourly for longer, between 7am and 9am and then from 2pm until 7pm.

The Track 4, between Blackburn town centre and Higher Croft, via Queen's Park Hospital and Roman Road, has gained extra services during morning rush hour.

The Blackburn to Wensley Fold Track 10 will switch to Ainsworth Street bus stops, and has had part of its route changed so it can run more reliably and avoid congested junctions.

Track 11 from Blackburn to Witton also moves bus stops in the town centre, while Track 12 from Blackburn to Lammack and Beardwood also moves bus stops.

Track 12 will also no longer across Revidge any more, with Track 13 between Blackburn and Mellor instead serving the Revidge area.

Track 14 will run every 20 minutes between Blackburn and Sunnybower, while the new Track 15 between Blackburn and Darwen via Queen's Park Hospital will cover parts of the old tracks 30 and 33 through rural Darwen, while Track 22 to Mill Hill will run every 15 minutes.

All other routes remain unchanged.