ELDERLY bus users, who say they have been left stranded following the axing of a route, will not be getting a replacement service.

Operators First Bus withdrew the 617 route, which used to serve Victoria Road in Horwich, earlier this year because they said it was not commercially viable.

Councillors have been lobbying other bus companies on behalf of the residents to get a bus re-routed to Victoria Road and transport company Arriva said it was looking at taking on the service.

The company told residents at a Two Towns Area Forum that it would take three months before changes could be introduced. But Arriva has now confirmed that it is no longer considering diverting one of its existing services to cover part of the route.

A spokesman for Arriva said: "We will always look to try and make improvements to our network where possible.

"We did look at the 617 route, but we believe that diverting our 575 down Victoria Road would not be practical, as we would miss out a section of Chorley New Road.

"This would inconvenience a substantial number of our existing customers."

Horwich councillor Bob Ronson was disappointed with the decision by Arriva, but says that he still hopes that the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive will be able to get a company to take on the route.

He said: "I spoke to Arriva representatives at a recent transport forum and they said they would see what they could do.

"I am very surprised by this decision because, really, they are saying that they are not concerned about the needs of elderly residents.

"There are so many buses using Chorley New Road and this is just about profit.

"The Victoria Road and Stocks Park Drive area is hilly and people struggle to walk to the bus stops on the main roads.

"We are hoping GMPTE can talk to the bus companies and do something about this."