ANGRY Stratton residents vented their frustration on Tuesday at a public meeting set up to discuss the recent cancellation of the Number 20 bus service.

More than a hundred residents, many elderly, fired questions at councillors and Thamesdown Transport bosses in an attempt to explain the impact removing the service, which ran from Ermin Street to the Great Western Hospital, has had on their lives.

Dozens have been left without nearby access to a bus because of mobility issues, meaning many now struggle getting to the shops, hospital or community facilities, raising fears of increased isolation.

However, a lot of people left the meeting early when it became apparent there was no immediate prospect of its return.

“I had to get a taxi to the hospital last week and the journey cost me £20. I am an OAP and can't afford to do this regularly as I can't walk to another bus stop to get another bus,” said Dorothy Coward, who lives Gay’s Place.

Wendy Hicks, also of Gay’s Place, said: “Most of the people which live between the Crown and the brewery are OAPs but they don't care about us.

“We have all paid our taxes and we deserve a bus service. I worked until I was 65 and it just seems that once you pass that no-one cares. All anyone cares about is profit.”

The meeting was organised by Andy Peddersen, 24, who set up a petition calling for a service to be put in place.

He, along with several others, collected 1,500 signatures and now the subject will be debated at full council on Thursday.

Andy said: “I am pleased people have had an opportunity to have their say. It is good councillors and Thamesdown Transport is talking to residents but many will feel it is too little, too late.

“What is most concerning to me is it has taken the removal of the service before anyone has taken these people’s needs seriously.”

Thamesdown Transport Managing Director Paul Jenkins apologised for the decision but said there was not enough demand to make the route profitable.

He said: “This meeting has conveyed the strength of feeling and we appreciate the impact the removal of the service has had.

“Unfortunately we have had to confirm Thamesdown Transport is unable to reinstate the Number 20. We tried to run it for several years without the subsidy but there were not enough paying users to make it sustainable.”

The councillors present said while the local authority could not bring the route back, they were looking at other options.

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), the cabinet member for transport, said: “At the end of the day Service 20 was losing money and the council is not in a position to provide the required funds.

“I want to see an answer but we have spoken with Thamesdown Transport, Stagecoach and Dial-a-Ride and none want to come forward.

“But a pot of £25,000 remains available if a solution can be found.”