A CONSULTATION by Lancashire County Council on proposals to reduce the budget for community transport services has been branded 'a sham'.

The council’s cabinet agreed in January to cut it by £175,000 over two years as part of saving £144million by 2021/22.

Community transport for people unable to use mainstream public transport and includes Dial-a-Ride, group transport, and community car schemes.

The county council has already scrapped its Burnley Employment Shuttle subsidised taxi service to help the low-paid access work or training.

Cllr Geoff Driver, leader of the authority, said: “Community transport provides an important service for people who can’t access other public transport, and we want to understand as much as we can about the possible impact of reducing our level of support before making any decisions.

“We’re holding an eight-week consultation, and I’m very grateful for people taking the time to let us know how they may be affected.”

County Labour group leader Cllr Azhar Ali said: "This consultation is a sham. They have already taken the decision which will hit the most vulnerable people who need this service to do things like get to hospital."

The consultation will run from April 16 to June 10.