RESIDENTS are protesting against plans to cut a bus service linking Oxford with Dean Court, near Cumnor, insisting it will leave them isolated.

Oxford Bus Company has announced it is scrapping its 4C service – which connects Wood Farm and the city with Dean Court, near Cumnor.

The 4B route, which serves other parts of Cumnor, will be improved, but residents of Dean Court say the 4C – their only bus service – is a lifeline.

News that the route will be axed from Sunday, January 26, has been greeted with dismay in the area, with some residents saying they will be forced to take taxis.

Arbabul Chowdhury lives in Botley but uses the bus to get to the Yasmin Store on the estate, where he has worked for 10 years.

He said: “I do not have to come that far, but there are a lot of people who will be affected.

“I do not think it is true that the service is not well used. It is always busy in the mornings and in the evenings.”

He said a petition in his shop already has 30 signatures.

Elizabeth Cavanagh said she and her children Katie, 19, and Reece, 16, would be affected.

She said: “My son uses the bus to get to college and I use it to get into town. I was gutted when I heard what they were going to do, but it’s the older people who can’t walk down to the main road who will really be affected.”

Oxford Bus Company runs the 4 service from Wood Farm to Abingdon, the 4A to Elms Rise, the 4B to Cumnor and the 4C to Dean Court.

Under the proposed changes, the 4B will run every 20 minutes to Cumnor and the 4C will be axed.

Several services, including the S1 to Witney, run near Dean Court, but elderly residents said they would struggle to get to the bus stop.

Tina Keenor, 83, of Dean Court, said: “This will be terrible. I will have to have taxis which will cost £17 a day. It’s a disgrace.”

And Kath Little, who lives in Pinnocks Way, said the changes will create problems for her and her children Rose, three, and Clara, seven months.

She said: “There are other services running nearby, and that is fine if you are able-bodied and can walk down.

“I have two children and to walk with them to the main road takes us about 20 minutes.”

Oxford Bus Company operations director Phil Southall said the service was under-used and a more regular 4B service to Cumnor should help.

He said: “While the service as a whole is popular, passenger numbers on the hourly service to Dean Court itself are often very light.

“The new timetable offers more journeys to choose from just a short walk away, well within the 400-metre walking distance recommended by the Government for accessibility to a bus service.”