A GROUP of people living in Upper Stratton say they will be left stranded when a new bus timetable comes into effect.

Thamesdown Transport plans to alter the route of the numbers 20 and 21 buses on May 19.

Instead of the usual route, which incorporates St Philip's Road and Dores Road, the bus will run straight down Beechcroft Road.

The current Thamesdown service, which runs two buses an hour, will be replaced by an hourly bus from Stagecoach.

But people living at Laurel Court, in Clays Close, say the changes will mean a longer wait for them to travel into the town centre and to the hospital.

Betty Lock, 77, who has lived in the housing complex since 1993, says she and her friends feel confused by the imminent changes.

"No one knows what is going on," she said. "We have asked the drivers but they seem to be just as much in the dark as we are.

"I have emphysema so I can't walk very far. I'll probably have to use taxis more often to get around, which I can't afford.

"At the moment there is a good service. We know when the buses are due to arrive and we make sure we get there in plenty of time.

"If the buses are rerouted some people may have to miss out on appointments or be left waiting around to get to and from the town centre.

"It would be nice if someone could tell us what is going on."

Fellow resident Don Osborne, 83, said: "It's very poor indeed. There are a lot of old people around here and we need a good bus service.

"I've had to travel to the hospital quite a lot recently and it's an expensive taxi journey."

Thamesdown Transport spokesman David Burch confirmed the rerouting plans, saying: "The poor public support doesn't justify the level of service currently operating in St Philip's Road.

"On average fewer than one person uses the bus each trip. The replacement Stagecoach number 74 will be adequate for the numbers that are being carried at the moment."

David Coates, group leader for passenger transport at Swindon Council, said: "Service 20 and 21 is paid for by the hospital trust and was designed to cover a number of areas where access to the hospital by public transport would otherwise be difficult.

"It has run since December and it has become apparent that the route needs to be adjusted to enable it to run more reliably and serve the areas with the most demand."

The changes to services 20 and 21 will take effect on May 19:

For information call Stagecoach on (01793) 522243.