Following its departure in 2016, the Blackburn Outer Circle service is back. From the 4th May 2025, the service will be reinstated thanks to government funding from the Departments of Transports Bus Services Improvement Grant (BSIP).
The reinstated service will vary slightly from the old version where we had one service one way (5A) and another in the opposite direction (5C). Whilst those are back albeit on a similar routing, there will also be a new 55A and 55C which will for the most, cover the same as the 5A/5C but will cover new sections but between them, will cover some new sections, including Frontier Park, top of Little Harwood, Brownhill and Pleckgate Road.
Between them, they will still serve…
The Royal Blackburn Hospital
Shadsworth Business Centre and Shadsworth.
Intack and Whitebirk
Philips Rd and Glenfield Business Centre
St James Rd and 4 Lane ends
Billinge End
Mill Hill and Ewood
Higher Croft
It will still link to a number of schools including, St Bedes, Pleckgate, Witton Park, Blackburn Central (via RBH), Our Lady (via Sett End)
New to the route is Frontier Park, allowing access for shopping and businesses alike.