Local councillors in Fishwick are calling for a bus service to be diverted to take in the Brockholes Nature Reserve.
AdvertisementThe Reserve, just off Junction 31 of the M6, is currently 45 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop.
Fishwick and St Matthews councillors Martyn Rawlinson and Veronica Afrin are among those who put on a free bus once a month to help local residents visit the wildlife.
The councillors have lobbied Lancashire County Council for the Sunday service of the X80 to make a stop at the centre but this was dismissed by County Council transport chiefs.
The County Council say the priority is “long distance core routes and direct inter-urban services without the need to provide diversions en-route.”
Cllr Afrin called on transport chief county councillor Tim Ashton to make a new service happen.
She said: “There are clearly health benefits in having this fantastic facility near the most deprived wards in Preston, but if the most vulnerable in those wards cannot get there then we have to do something about it.
“The County Councillor needs to be more creative. I’m sure there are funding opportunities linked to health initiatives that could make this possible. Tim Ashton has the power and the resources to make this happen. It just needs some effort.”
The reserve opened in Spring 2011.
What do you think? Should a bus service go to Brockholes? Could an existing service be diverted? Let us know your views in the comments below
Image credit to CottonGilly