RESIDENTS in north Oxford are campaigning for a bus route to be extended so they can reduce the stress of getting to hospital appointments.

At the moment, the number 14 bus run by Stagecoach goes to the John Radcliffe Hospital via Marston Ferry Road, but then turns round and comes straight back.

Now elderly residents living in warden-controlled flats at Ritchie Court, on Banbury Road, are calling on Stagecoach, and the county council, to extend the service so that it goes on to the Churchill Hospital.

Ruth Escritt, 87, who lives at Ritchie Court, said: "I have been up to the Churchill Hospital for a clinic recently and it would be so helpful if the number 14 could go on to the Churchill from the John Radcliffe.

"One lady here has an appointment every day at the Churchill and it means she has to book a taxi to get there.

"The people living here have a lot of spirit, but extending the service would make a big difference."

Jean Fooks, Liberal Democrat city and county councillor for north Oxford, said the county council, which subsidises the service, had so far refused to extend the route, suggesting the change would cost the authority £100,000 a year.

She added: "The county council is saying it can't be done, but if the council, Stagecoach, Oxford Brookes and the hospitals get together to discuss it they may find a way to make it commercially viable.

"Many pensioners who live at Ritchie Court and elsewhere in north Oxford do not have their own transport and rely on the bus service.

"There needs to be a re-think on this. It makes perfect sense for the number 14 to continue on to the Churchill Hospital."

When the Radcliffe Infirmary closed in January, services for the elderly were relocated to the new £135m West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

But some pensioners still need to use cancer, chest, renal and transplant services available at the Churchill Hospital.

The number 14 service runs from Oxford Railway Station in Botley Road and then goes through the city centre, Banbury Road, and Marston Ferry Road to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The 14A service takes a similar route, but goes round Marston village before arriving at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Chris Child, a spokesman for Stagecoach in Oxford, said the Oxford Bus Company ran the number 14 route until June last year, when Stagecoach was awarded the route by the county council in a tendering process.

Up until June last year, the Oxford Bus Company number 14 finished its journey at the Churchill Hospital.

Mr Child said: "We get paid by the council for running this route. We are always happy to listen to feedback from customers but if any changes are to be made, discussions are needed between us, the council and residents."