AN online petition to save the Connect2 bus service has been launched in a desperate bid to persuade Wiltshire Council to continue funding it.

The bus, which is also known as the RUH Hopper, transports residents from North and West Wiltshire to the Royal United Hospital in Bath and is a life-line to those who do not drive or cannot get there by other means.

Since announcing £130,000 would be cut from Wiltshire Council’s budget to fund it, upset residents have been quick to express their concerns.

A petition has now been launched by Wiltshire Independent Councillors Terry Chivers and Jeff and Helen Osborn and has received more than 1,000 online signatures so far.

It will be presented to councillors at the Full Council meeting in May.

Cllr Chivers said: “It’s clear that this is just one to cut to many, the residents of Wiltshire have clearly said hands off the vital bus service, that links parts of Wiltshire to the Bath RUH.

“I have lost count of the number of people that have complained to me about this cut. It’s all very well Cabinet member Councillor Horace Prickett saying that no final decision has been made, but they have already voted to axe £130,000 from its funding at the last full Council.”

Cllr Osborn added: “Only this week, I used this service for an appointment at the RUH. There were five other passengers on the bus, none knew that I was a Wiltshire Council Councillor, but they all were very worried about the future of the service.”

The petition can be found here