VULNERABLE people across the county are in danger of being left stranded after Wiltshire Council decided to cease funding for an independent travel support service.

Wiltshire Independent Travel Support (WITS), which is run by the Wiltshire and Swindon Users’ Network, offers travel support to disadvantaged people who would like to get about independently on public transport for work, to meet friends or for college or training.

The project has been running for eight years in south, north and west Wiltshire and helps people with physical or sensory impairment, learning difficulties, users of mental health services and the elderly.

However, it is now under threat after the council confirmed it will not be renewing the contract for WITS, which will mean the valuable service is set to lose £71,000 in annual funding from September.

Louise Rendle, head of network services at WSUN, said: “We were initially told our contract would not be renewed and that runs out in September. It could now be extended to March as we have had referrals for training to start in September.

“It is frustrating as we can see the difference the service makes to people’s lives. It opens up opportunities that they would never have considered before and it is like nothing else around.

“We support anyone with disabilities, learning difficulties or physical and sensory impairment and we take any age, with our youngest aged 14 and our oldest a 93-year-old who had lost her husband and had no way of getting around.

“Our users find that the service gives them renewed confidence in everything they do as it gives them the freedom to go out and about and do things that they weren’t previously able to do.”

The WITS service, which comprises of five members of part-time staff and provides training to 55-60 people a year, tailors training to the individual’s needs and it usually lasts around 8-12 weeks.

Travel supporters provide assistance to disadvantaged individuals over several week, accompanying the person on their journey – whether it is on a bus, train, bike or walking - until they become confident to complete the journey on their own. They work on skills like planning a journey, road safety, telling the time, using money or a bus pass.

One of those helped by the service is Melksham man Malcolm Brine, who struggled with depression after part of his right leg was amputated in 2008 as a result of Type One diabetes. He said the under threat Wiltshire Independent Travel Support service gave him a new lease of life.

The 45-year-old wanted to be able to go into town without relying on his wife or friends and after being assessed by WITS he was given training to ensure he could catch the bus independently.

Mr Brine received support over a seven week period, with his travel supporter accompanying him on his journey until he was confident enough to go it alone – gradually scaling back the support.

He said: “I think it is terrible that WITS could be at risk. It gives people like me a new lease of life and to lose this service would mean others could struggle with getting from A to B and result in them just staying home for a long time.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “We are looking at how best this service should be delivered in the future. There will be full consultation with customers and the current providers during this process. The current service provided by WSUN will be in place until March 2016.”