A BOROUGH'S residents have been reminded that three new bus services, including a restored link to the general hospital, will start running on Monday.

The improvements have been funded by a £56,788 grant from the Department for Transport’s ‘Supported Bus Services’ programme.

They include the re-introduction of the service from Darwen to Royal Blackburn Hospital extending to Audley Range, North Road and Blackburn Town Centre operated by Moving People.

The original number 33 route was dropped because only three people a journey used it in June 2018 despite local protests.

The other routes are a new peak time service for the Philips Road and Whitebirk industrial estates operated and additional links to Darwen Town Centre from Hoddlesden, Waterside, Eccleshill and Pot House and improved links between Darwen and Edgworth.

The Darwen Town Network will also see improved service frequencies and timings.

Darwen East's Cllr Jane Oates welcomed the return of the 33 saying: "I am very pleased that this vital service is resuming in Darwen. Residents have been asking for this bus to come back for some time now. They will be able to travel to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

"I hope residents will make good use of this route so that we will be able to keep it."

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s transport boss, said: “I know that these improvements will be welcome to many. We hope those people who need to use the routes will make good use of the new services.”