JACK Straw has called for radical changes to try to end the misery for Blackburn and Darwen’s bus users.

The Blackburn MP has spent recent weeks talking to bus operators and the council in an attempt to strike a deal that could end the string of cutbacks to routes which have caused a public outcry.

In a letter to Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Graham Burgess, the Justice Secretary said there was ‘profound public concern’ with the network and suggested the borough should withdraw from the Lancashire-wide pool that runs pensioners’ free bus travel.

Mr Straw said Blackburn with Darwen should set up its own administration to give it more freedom over the way it managed its funds rather try a ‘one size fits all’ approach with areas like Blackpool and Preston.

Currently every district council is given a Government grant to cover the costs of the free travel.

In Lancashire, the 14 authorities have agreed to pool their resources for the scheme to be managed centrally at County Hall.

But critics say this means East Lancashire councils, which can cover their own costs, are subsidising other areas like Blackpool that are making a loss because of the amount of people travelling there.

The fallout with the bus companies, which is set to end up in court, was triggered when the 14 authorities slashed the amount of cash they refund to operators for each journey from 72p to 52.5p in the pound.

Bus operator Lancashire United claims the move has left it needing to find £1million in savings, leading to routes being axed and cut back.

The changes Mr Straw is proposing would not affect pensioners’ bus passes, but could mean fewer cuts to routes if it meant that more money was available.

Nigel Eggleton, marketing director for Lancashire United, said: “We very much welcome Mr Straw’s involvement in the continuing debate about the funding of local bus services.”

Coun Mike Lee, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council said: “We are always prepared to talk to Jack and we will be giving him a full response to his letter.

“However, the ideas in the letter don’t appear to be anything new and could add to the costs of the scheme by setting up an administration which would duplicate that which already exists.

“It would also require buying expensive equipment and would leave us in an isolated position where bus operators could pick us off, so adding further to the cost.