PRESSURE is mounting for a rethink on cost-cutting plans to reduce a valuable Thornbury bus service.

Proposals to cut the 312 service to Parkway Station, the University of the West of England and Frenchay Hospital have caused an outcry among commuters and many others who rely on it.

Now protesters are calling on council paymasters to find the cash to continue subsiding the service at existing and if possible even better levels.

When the route was introduced almost three years ago it was hailed as an important step in the campaign to get more people to leave their cars at home.

Now the council is set to reduce the hourly service in the New Year to every two hours on weekdays, claiming passenger usage does not justify maintaining the service at current levels.

David Morgan, from Alveston, relies on the 312 for his journey to and from the University of the West of England.

"After Christmas there will only be one morning bus that will get me to work on time and one realistic option in the evening," he said.

"There's been absolutely no meaningful consultation about this. The bottom line is that I and a number of other bus users will have to consider getting a car and joining the nightmare on the roads."

A petition backed by more than 200 names, calling on South Gloucestershire Council chiefs to find the extra funds to save and improve the service, was presented at a recent meeting of the planning and transportation select committee.

Thornbury councillor Clare Fardell said the cuts had caused an "outcry".

"We all believe in supporting public transport and we're appealing for this service to be restored and perhaps even extended," she said.

Cllr Brian Allinson, the council's executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said the decision to cut the service was "regrettable".

He said: "The decision to cut the funding for bus services was made by the previous council and was supported by all parties and Cllr Fardell.

"The decision on the services to be reduced was based on the recommendation of a cross-party select committee.

"One of the results of these cuts has been the reduction in the 312 bus service, which is regrettable.

"However the costs of retaining the full service were estimated at £155,000 and so to retain it would require cuts in other services."

The 312 is one of several council-supported services set to undergo change in the New Year as part of a regular review "to ensure the best possible distribution of services to meet demand".

The new bus timetables are available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/bustimetables or by calling 01454 868004.