A PETITION has been handed to Parliament in protest at the scrapping of a taxibus in Plymouth, branding it a disgrace.

More than 250 signatures were presented to the House of Commons urging Government action to halt the withdrawal of the service running from Glenholt to the city centre, which campaigners say is used by residents to go to the doctors, shops, and community facilities.

The loss of the service will cause "major inconvenience" say opponents of the move.

Alison Seabeck the MP for Plymouth, Moor View, says the cuts come amid continuing concern over the reduction in bus routes and services offered by Citybus since the Conservative-led council privatised the service last year.

The petition states people "are unhappy with the decision to withdraw the taxibus service that serves the residents in the north of Plymouth" and notes that people in St Budeaux and Weston Mill use the service "to access their GP surgery, dentist, shops and other community facilities".

It also adds that "the withdrawal of this service will cause major inconvenience to residents".

The petitioners called on the Government "to encourage local authorities to support local taxibus services to avoid these vital public transport services being removed".

Ms Seabeck said: "Local people rely on regular services to get out and about and the cuts that we are now starting to see will seriously reduce the quality of life for people across the city and will prove damaging to jobs and our local economy.

"I was also shocked to learn of the withdrawal of the taxibus service in the north of the city. I know how much many local people rely on this service to get them to the shops or the doctors.

"People, especially the elderly, fear the isolation caused by the withdrawal of these links. The failure of Taxi Fast to consult local residents or councillors is a disgrace.

"I will continue to campaign for a better bus service in Plymouth and oppose local cuts in services. We've already seen that the bus companies will back down if local people make a stand as they did for route 45/A and I commit to working with residents to keep these services running."