A direct bus from Oxford’s Blackbird Leys estate to the city’s John Radcliffe Hospital is desperately needed, residents say.

There is currently no service to the hospital – meaning non-drivers must change buses in Cowley or get a taxi.

Critics say this leaves many older and sick people in the community facing long and tiring journeys to their appointments.

The problem was discussed by Blackbird Leys Parish Council last week.

Resident and parish councillor Sheila Smith said: “Why don’t we have a JR bus? There are hundreds of people here who don’t have cars and need to go to the John Radcliffe.”

She said a recent journey to the hospital had taken nearly two hours due to traffic and the queues waiting for buses.

She said: “It’s ridiculous. Other estates which are smaller have direct buses, but we’ve never had one.

“My sister is in the hospital with a broken hip so I have to go across there and if I set off at 1.15pm, I can get there by 3pm.

“And you’ve got older people across the estate having to pay for taxis every week.”

Council chairman Gordon Roper added: “This is something residents up here want, so it’s something we need to look into.

“I remember quite a few years ago, nurses were complaining because they couldn’t get to work.”

Residents in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys can currently get on the number 1, 5, 12 or 16 services into Cowley and the city centre.

But none of the services take them close to the hospitals in Headington.

Sally Meachim from the Clockhouse, which organises activities for older people on the estate, said: “Often people do have health conditions which make it difficult to be having long transport journeys or waiting around at bus stops. I would say anything that makes it smoother and quicker for people to get into the JR would be helpful.”

The South Central Ambulance Service runs a hospital service for patients who require continuous oxygen and those who are unable to stand or walk more than a few steps.

Patients who need a stretcher or have a problem that prevents them from travelling by other means are also entitled to the transport service.

Stagecoach spokesman Chris Child said: “There are currently no plans to introduce a direct service from Blackbird Leys to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

“Passengers can make incredibly quick and easy connections at Cowley Centre between routes 1 and 5 on to route 10, which runs up to every 12 minutes to and from the hospital.”

The parish council will now write to the bus companies with the hope of organising a meeting to discuss the issue.