A COMMUTER from Cottingley who claims changes to local bus services at peak times may stop him taking public transport to work has started his own petition.

Building society worker Andrew Thorlby's Save Our Bus Link campaign received almost 160 signatures in its first four days.

Mr Thorlby said changes to early services by First Bus on routes 675 and 634 meant he and others could no longer get to work and has complained to the bus company's chief executive, Tim O'Toole.

The company said very few people used the service and changes reflected the needs of the majority.

Mr Thorlby's letter said: "For over ten years I have relied on First bus services as part of a commute to local rail links, and more recently to a new place of work in south Bradford.

"In a single round of changes, your company have wiped out all of my existing commuting journeys.

He said the changes may mean his family had to buy a second car.

Mr Rodley, aged 43, said that there was huge support amongst Cottingley residents, who now felt cut off from the public transport network.

"I put petitions in two mini-markets on Cottingley Parade last week and have already got 158 signatures in just four days," he said.

Ward Councillor Simon Cooke (Con) said Mr Rodley raised some important points.

"Some other extra buses have been provided, but they're no use to the commuter - at a time when we're supposed to be encouraging everyone to use more public transport," he said.

Shipley Councillor Martin Love (Green) said while other bus services had been added, there was a genuine problem for those heading to work in Bradford and Leeds.

He has asked Metro to look at the situation.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said he was also investigating on Mr Thorlby's behalf.

"I have taken it up for him with First Bus and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and await their responses," the Conservative MP said.

A spokesman for First Bus said: "I'm sorry to learn that Mr Thorlby was unhappy with recent revisions to our network.

"We have been carrying very few customers on service 634 and service 675 between Cottingley and Shipley and took a decision to changes these services to reflect the needs of the majority of our customers.

"The section of route between Cottingley and Shipley continues to be served by service 678 which is run by TLC under contract to Metro.

"We'll ensure the comments with regards to a better connection with local rail links are passed to Metro for their consideration.

"We'll continue to monitor the changes to our services to ensure our network meets the best interests of all of our customers."