A WOMAN with epilepsy has been forced to hitchhike to work after the daily bus service between Chalford Vale and Cirecester was withdrawn.

Lorna Parker, of London Road, Chalford, works part-time as a archivist at Cirencester Agricultural College, but can't drive because of her epilepsy and is completely reliant on public transport.

But since the 22b service was withdrawn she has had to stand at the roadside and try to thumb a lift from colleagues.

"I'm pretty dependent on the buses - I can't drive because of my epilepsy," she said.

"I'd like to get the bus to and from work as I used to do but the only bus that goes to Cirencester gets in at 10am and only runs on Fridays."

Mrs Parker said she would not get into a car with a stranger so she has to hope someone she knows is passing.

"I go down to the footpath and put my thumb out and hope someone I know who works at the college will pick me up," she said.

Since the daily bus service to the college was withdrawn, Mrs Parker, 37, has missed work three times.

Fortunately her employers have been understanding and allowed her to make up the days she has missed.

But she is angry about the deteriorating public transport service in Chalford, which also affects her leisure time.

"If you go shopping in Stroud you haven't got a minute to lose, because if you miss the bus back you know there isn't another one," she said. "Your whole life revolves around the buses."

Over the last month, the SNJ has reported on deteriorating public transport in Chalford.

This week we are launching a campign to save our buses (SOB). If you would like to support the campaign cut out the coupon on the right and send it to SNJ/Bus Campaign, 6 Lansdown, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 1BE and we will forward your objections to Shire Hall

"Route is socially necessary...."

Anthony Evans, marketing manager for Stagecoach West, said the route between Stroud and Cirencester was not commercially viable but he believed there was a case for county council subsidy.

"The route is socially necessary," he said. "We believe there's a need to have a bus service there five days a week and that is the bid we put in to the council.

"But they have opted to give the contract to Ebley Coaches for a once a week service, so our hands are tied."

Cllr Muriel Milton, transport representative for Chalford Parish Council, said: "I think a daily service is needed not only for people like Mrs Parker but also for the teenagers who have opted to go to Deerpark School in Cirencester."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council said: "We have had to review the 22b, which runs direct to Cirencester. This will now operate on a Friday only.

"The decision was taken because very few people were using it. We talked to the parish council about which day they would prefer the bus to run and they chose Friday."