RESIDENTS in Botley are calling for bus company bosses to reinstate a service scrapped earlier this year.

Oxford Bus Company scrapped the 4C service serving people living in Dean Court in January.

But people living in the area are now urging bus company managers to restore the service.

The 4C connected Dean Court with Wood Farm in Oxford.

When it was scrapped, a petition with more than 220 signatures was handed to the Oxford Bus Company, but it still got rid of the service.

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The bus was replaced by an improved 4B service, running to Cumnor every 20 minutes. But some passengers complained they would not be able to get up Dean Court Road to their new bus stop because it is too steep.

Arbabul Chowdhury, who runs the local convenience store and Indian restaurant, called for the return of the 4C.

He said: “We want it back, we need this service. We are trapped here.

“We haven’t given up we have written to the city council and we hope they will see how much the area needs the service.”

Mr Chowdhury, whose shop is next door to the former bus stop, added: “My trade has been noticeably affected.

“People used to pop in to the shop on their way to and from the bus stop but they don’t come in anymore because they no longer need to walk past.

“I’ve been here for seven years in this shop, we need this bus service – I feel for the elderly people pushing their trolley uphill to get to the bus.

Several services, including the S1 to Witney, run near Dean Court, but reliability and access has been a problem.

Irene Addison, 78, of Pinnocks Way, said: “I miss it, we all do.

“The 4C was convenient and you always knew when the bus was going to come.

“Because the S1 comes from Witney it’s never on time and you could be stood out in the rain. I now have to go down an alleyway which is a bit bumpy and unusable after dark.

“I’m more fortunate than most because I don’t have far to walk but if, for example, I had a late doctor’s appointment in town I wouldn’t be able to go because I’d be coming back in the dark.”

Cath Little, 36, used to rely on the service to take her four-year-old and one-year-old to school and nursery.

She said: “I’m fine by myself but I have two young children who I need to take to school.

“I’m not confident enough to cycle down the Botley Road with two children in tow.

“I sometimes walk but it’s a bit of pain and quite slow with a one-year-old or we jump in the car, which is a nightmare with the Botley Road traffic, and just not worth it.”

She added: “We desperately want our bus service back but I don’t see half the people in the area anymore because we all used to congregate at the bus stop – so we’ve lost that as well.”

A spokesman for Oxford Bus Company said: “There are no plans to reinstate the 4C service to Dean Court.”

County councillor for North Hinksey and Wytham Janet Godden said: “The withdrawal of the 4C last January has had an adverse impact on the many residents of Dean Court who depended on this hourly service.

“As predicted, the Stagecoach buses that run along Eynsham Road are unreliable in their timing and often full by the time they reach Pinnocks Way; the walk up to Dean Court Road is far too steep for those no longer young.

“Neither of these alternatives has proved any easier over time.

“We urge the bus company to reconsider and restore the 4C service.”

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