BUS bosses have confirmed plans to scrap one of the main routes to the city’s hospital.

First Bus says it will cut its 12 Service in the new year – blaming “declining patronage”.

The route, between Lordshill and the city centre, is one of two First Bus services which stop at Southampton General Hospital.

And bosses say areas of Milbrook could be cut off from bus services to the hospital as a result.

Rui Marcelino, sustainable travel and transport manager at University Hospital Southampton, said: “It is always disappointing when public transport to the hospital site is reduced and we will discuss the impact this will have with our colleagues at Southampton City Council.”

First will cut the 12 route from its services from January 20 next year.

It will be the second service First has cut in the Coxford area in less than six months.

The news has sparked anger among ward councillors, with Putting People First’s Don Thomas accusing First of “picking on Coxford residents”.

Fellow Putting People First councillor Tammy Thomas added: “I find it really disappointing that First Bus intends to withdraw this service, particularly as this route serves the hospital and was promised as an alternative to the withdrawal of service One.”

However, First has defended the move. A spokesman said: “We’ve made considerable efforts to keep service 12 operating for many years, despite it facing declining patronage, increasing operational costs and no financial support from local authorities.”

He added that buses would still “frequently” service the hospital.

First also says its City Red Two service will no longer serve Bitterne and Thornhill as part of the changes.

However, the bus will still cover Milbrook, Shirley and the city centre.

Bitterne councillor Simon Letts said it was “no loss” to the area, which he added was “oversaturated” with buses.

He also hit back at First’s claim over a lack of local authority funding, saying the council had never subsidised daytime routes.