FURIOUS bus users say plans to cancel routes on a service that connects villages to Basildon Hospital will make it harder for them to attend medical appointments.

Service 15, operated by First Bus, currently travels from Langdon Hills and Runwell via Basildon Hospital, but the bus company is proposes to cancel the routes travelling around the areas of Alderney Gardens, Swan Lane and Church End Lane in Wickford.

The changes would mean passengers will need to change buses at Basildon Bus Station and get on another bus to the hospital.

A campaign group against the plans has now launched a petition to stop the proposed cancellation.

A Wickford resident, who asked only to be named as David, said: “Residents and councillors came together and gathered at a bus stop in Brock Hall Corner to show First Bus just how important the routes are to residents.

“I met an elderly lady that had arranged via her son for me to visit her to sign the petition.

“She has to walk up hills in both directions to catch a bus now, when there is a bus stop near her door. She can’t get to the local shops at Barn Hall because of the hill and used the bus to socialise and do her shopping at Aldi. She is very concerned.

“Service 15 and 25A to Basildon Hospital are withdrawn on the February 18, leaving Wickford with one service to the hospital.”

Councillor Peter Holliman said: “Last week at full council meeting we discussed the impact of pollution from motor vehicles in our borough. The unanimous agreement was that we should do all we can to improve air quality.

“One very simple solution is would be to make more use of public transport.”

A spokesman for First Essex confirmed while residents need to change buses at the station for the hospital, there are buses that run every six minutes to the hospital.

He said: “We are aware that a number of residents have raised their concerns over the planned changes to our service 15 around the areas of Alderney Gardens, Swan Lane and Church End Lane. We have invited a group of representatives and residents to our depot to discuss the outlined plans.”