introduction
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Introducing PENNINEREACH

PENNINEREACH is a proposed dynamic, new bus service designed to improve the public transport network between Accrington and Blackburn via Rishton, Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors and Oswaldtwistle and between Accrington, Blackburn and Darwen.

The proposed network could include:

• A fleet of new, high quality, ultra modern and easy access buses
• Dedicated bus lanes to shorten journey times, reduce delays and improve service reliability
• Bus priority at traffic signals
• Improved passenger waiting facilities with high quality, well lit, modern bus shelters
• Innovative bus ticketing solutions, including facilities to buy tickets before getting on the bus, both at the stops themselves and at special machines.  New ‘Smart Card’ technology would also be introduced, which allows passengers to deposit an amount of money on their own, personal ‘Smart Card’ and their fare will be deducted each time they board the bus by swiping their card.
• Real time bus displays at bus stops to provide ‘up to the minute’ information to bus passengers.
• Easy to understand timetable and bus stop information
• Management of on street parking
• Improved feeder bus routes
• Improved bus stations in Accrington and Blackburn town centres

The multi million pound scheme is being promoted jointly by the local highway authorities of Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, who will bid for funding from the Government later this year.

Why PENNINEREACH?

The number of people who own a car in Hyndburn is low compared with the rest of the country but projections show the number of cars on our roads is going to increase considerably over the next decade, particularly as our large young population become drivers themselves

A more efficient transport infrastructure is crucial to the regeneration and economic growth of Hyndburn and the Pennine Lancashire region.  Lancashire County Council and Hyndburn Borough Council are committed to delivering future jobs and investment growth but this growth could potentially lead to increased congestion on our roads.

At present, a typical car journey at morning peak between the Sparth Road area of Clayton-le-Moors and Accrington Town Centre takes 22 minutes and a similar bus journey takes 28 minutes.  It is predicted that in a little over 10 years these journeys could increase by about a further 8 minutes.

An alternative to the car has to be considered.  The aim of PENNINEREACH is to do this – by improving the public transport network in the area so that the bus is a more attractive option than the car.

The table below shows the current average bus times and the estimated savings across the PENNINEREACH route if the scheme is implemented:

PENNINEREACH will also bring environmental benefits to Hyndburn.  By encouraging people to take the bus rather than use the car PENNINEREACH would reduce traffic congestion on the local road network and should lead to a reduction in air pollution.

What happens next?

Lancashire County Council would like to say thank you to the hundreds of residents who took part in consultation on the proposed PennineReach transport scheme.

A series of public exhibitions about PennineReach were held throughout June and July across Hyndburn and residents and businesses were given the opportunity to view the plans in detail and give their comments.

Hyndburn residents have shown considerable interest in the transport scheme and Lancashire County Council has received a huge
amount of feedback from the exhibition events and via post, telephone and email. As well as the meetings and to assess the overall public opinion on PennineReach, a telephone survey was carried out across the borough by the research company Ipsos MORI.

Council officers are now reviewing suggestions and carefully considering all the comments received. County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said,“The feedback received during the consultation period will be invaluable in the development of the PennineReach proposals and the comments made are now being looked at by our highway experts. It will take time to review all the suggestions. However, Lancashire County Council will report back on the outcomes of the consultation in the autumn.”