BUS and train travel in rural parts of East Lancashire - particularly the Ribble Valley - may be made easier if a bid for government cash is successful.

A proposed a bus interchange outside Clitheroe railway station is part of a massive improvement plan for bus services in rural areas.

The aim is to integrate bus and rail services to give direct access to trains for people travelling from rural areas.

Ribble Valley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council have long hoped to set up such an interchange in Clitheroe.

And when the government announced a £5 million rural bus challenge fund to help local authorities pay for transport schemes both councils decided to bid for more than £200,000. Railtrack, the Rural Development Commission and both councils would also help fund the scheme.

Lancashire County Council has already been awarded £750,000 for a separate project to improve bus services in countryside areas. Talks have taken place with North Western Trains about the possibility of linking bus and rail timetables.

Ribble Valley Council leader Howel Jones said rural areas had felt public transport had been neglected for years.

"The input of this new money into transport services in the Ribble Valley brings the prospect of improvements to the way of life for people in our rural villages and is very much welcomed," he said.

The Ribble Valley is likely to benefit most from the improved bus services, but other areas would also see improvements.

Additional journeys could be provided on the number 27 Mellor Brook to Blackburn, the 105 and 210 Clitheroe to Chipping, 110 Clitheroe to Dunsop Bridge, 203 Clitheroe to Downham, 208 Clitheroe to West Bradford, 209 Chatburn to Clitheroe, 221 Blackburn to Langho and 257 Clitheroe to Burnley services.

A new service is likely to be provided from Balderstone to Preston Other services which would see improvements are the number 91 Oswaldtwistle to Accrington, the 236 Blackburn to Rawtenstall and number 47 Todmorden to Rawtenstall.

A new service may be provided between Burnley and Nelson via Lane Bottoms and Burnley to Barley services via Nelson, Fence and Newchurch in Pendle will also be improved.

The county council's public transport committee will discuss the proposed service improvements and the interchange tomorrow.

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