The proposed axing of the excellent Connect2 service to and from Bath RUH by Wiltshire Council is causing real concern to current and prospective users.

It is also a source of concern for the volunteer-run Link Schemes because the bulk of the users of Connect2 are likely to ask Link to take them to the Bath RUH. In fact the Council spokesman’s comment of, “Link schemes being available for many people” is being used to soften the blow.

It implies that the Link schemes will be able to pick up the additional 14-15,000 trips per year. Based on the area covered by the Connect2 service, there could be 10 Link schemes involved which would mean at least 1,500 extra trips each per year. In the year ended December 31, 2014 the Trowbridge Link Scheme carried out 4,999 trips, only 369 (7.3 per cent) of which were to the RUH.

The publicity surrounding the proposal to withdraw funding from the Connect2 service is also worrying the users of the Trowbridge Link Scheme, particularly those statements attributed to Cllr Jeff Osborn which implies that Link is “in a lot of trouble and sometimes they are so busy that you have to wait a long time”. Certainly the Trowbridge Link Scheme is very busy but at the moment we are able to cope with the current level of demand and no user is having to wait.

The bulk of the transport services Trowbridge Link provides are local medically related journeys, to and from doctors, dentists, opticians, Trowbridge and other Community hospital-based treatment units.

There has not been any consultation with Link Schemes that we at the Trowbridge & Area Community Link Scheme are aware of. It does seem that Wiltshire Council’s proposal needs to be reviewed to ensure that present users, many of whom are in the category of “those who are most vulnerable”, are indeed protected. A very small increase in council tax could have achieved this.

Sue Holt, Press officer, Trowbridge & Area Community Link Scheme.