When First Bus axed its service through North Bradley there could be no room for complacency. We could be next. The inevitable has happened. Local bus services not only in this area but other parts of Trowbridge are under threat. Also daytime buses on the 234 service to Melksham are also apparently being withdrawn.

Wiltshire Council with its flawed transport policy must in part be responsible. At the time car parking charges were increased we were assured that the extra revenue would be used for the improvement of public transport.

However, as a result of these increases the car parks became largely under-used – and the anticipated extra revenue did just not materialize.

Lovemead Car Park is now well filled as an overflow for County Hall staff – but is the equivalent revenue from this being put into the transport fund?

The First Bus group is part of a large national company making huge profits. If as they say these routes are not profitable surely this must be compensated by those nationwide that are making money.

It shows the lack of any thought for the many loyal customers who so desperately need these buses. We once had a reliable and well-used 236 service but everything went pear shaped when this was replaced by the unreliable T1. No blame on the drivers, but often they don’t seem to know where they are going next and buses do not run.

In all fairness Faresaver might be a good replacement, but many of their buses do not have provision for the disabled or parents with pushchairs. These bus services are a lifeline to so many, not only in Trowbridge and Hilperton, but the growing areas of Paxcroft Mead and Castle Mead, and it is essential that they are retained.

The Trowbridge area does, of course, come within two Parliamentary constituencies and we have two MPs, Michelle Donelan and Andrew Murrison. We urge that they will also take up this matter as a matter of urgency.

Stanley H Jones, Horse Road, Hilperton Marsh.