STAFF and patients at Basingstoke hospital fear they will struggle to get to the site if a key bus service is axed.

Donna Green, director of nursing at the hospital, in Aldermaston Road, outlined the concerns to bus operator Stagecoach after plans were announced to cut part of the number five route from Popley to the hospital. A petition has also been set up calling for the route to be saved.

In her letter, seen by The Gazette, Mrs Green wrote to Stagecoach chief executive Andrew Dyer, saying: “I wanted you to be aware of the significant impact this will have for both patients and staff.

“A high proportion of our staff and patients live in the Popley area and are reliant on this bus service as they have no alternative means of transport.

“This (cut) will have a huge impact for us in patients getting to their appointments on time and impact on recruitment and retention of local staff which we are dependent on.”

Mrs Green asked Stagecoach to review the decision and consider retaining the service.

The cut is looming because Hampshire County Council is reducing the amount it spends on subsidised bus routes in the borough by more than 40 per cent because of a drop in Government funding.

Mrs Green’s concerns have been echoed by Popley East borough councillor Shelley Phelps.

She said: “If a nurse cannot get into work on time then that will have an impact on care at the hospital. There are massive implications to all of this.”

Popley West borough councillor Jane Frankum has started a petition which will be available to sign in Fastfare Pharmacy, in Abbey Road.

She said: “This will affect lots of people. Stagecoach will say they haven’t got enough passengers using it, but there are people on the bus in the mornings and evenings. It’s busy.”

Paula Kitchen, 45, from Martins Close, Oakridge, Basingstoke, said she relies on the bus to get her to Oakridge Road before 3.15pm so she can collect her daughter from South View Infant School, after finishing work as a cleaner at Parklands Hospital.

She said: “I would have to cut my hours if I couldn’t catch that bus. It’s going to affect a lot of people. In the morning it is really busy. Workers need to be able to get to the hospital.”

Mark Turner, commercial director for Stagecoach Southern, said the remainder of the number five service, which runs to Kempshott, will continue.

He added: “The majority of the service is run by Stagecoach on a commercial basis. The extension from Popley to the hospital has been funded by Hampshire County Council and they are taking away funding for that part of the route.”

Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment at Hampshire County Council, said funding pressures had forced transport bosses to review subsidised routes, but added there are other regular services available to the hospital.

He added: “Bus service four, which links east and west Popley with the hospital will continue much the same as before, as a two-hourly service with arrivals at the hospital from 6.54am and departures from the hospital up until 6.15pm.”