AN ELDERLY Taunton couple says life “won’t be worth living” if the bus service they use every day gets cut.

Eileen and Burt Higgins use the number 5 bus service from Calder Crescent every single day and are deeply saddened by the proposed cuts Buses of Somerset announced on October 6.

The website states that Redlake Drive, Thames Drive and Calder Crescent on the current service 5 will no longer be served. Customers from Thames Drive and Calder Crescent will need to walk through to Hamilton Road where service 21 runs at least every 15 minutes from October 30.

Mrs Higgins has to use a walking stick and Mr Higgins, who suffers with dementia, has to rely on a rollator to walk. The couple would struggle to walk the 25 minutes to Hamilton Road every day.

One a practice walk, Mr Higgins had to give up halfway there and Mrs Higgins was struggling by the time she reached the bus stop. She said: “It’s ideal for us right now. It gets us out of the house and gives us somewhere to go, even if we just pop out to get a paper or go to the bank.

“My husband and I won’t be able to do that walk to Hamilton Road every day, I’m afraid that he will be housebound and never go anywhere.

“It will also cut us off socially. M, most of the people who use that bus are pensioners that we would never see any more.

“We both agree that life won’t be worth living if they cut our bus.”

The Taunton Liberal Democrats have started a petition to oppose the changes to the bus services LibDem councillor, Chris Booth, said: “This is the human cost of what small changes on a map can do to people.

“I understand it is difficult for Buses of Somerset as it finds itself less subsidised by Somerset County Council, but people all across Blackbrook and Holway are going to have their lives changed whether it be going to the shops or going to the doctor.“We are running a petition over the changes to urge Buses of Somerset to rethink.”

Alex Carter, managing director of First South West, said: “To better match customer demand in the area, service 5 has merged with service 6.

“With this revision, this route has become a circular service combining most of existing of the 5 and 6 routes, while still providing comprehensive coverage and a bus every 30 minutes.

“For those that suffer from mobility issues, we suggest that they speak with the Somerset County Council to see what community transport options are available.”

To sign the petition, visit tdld.co.uk/busses-survey.