Bus bosses have been slammed after deciding to axe the only service from Bridge of Weir and Houston to Paisley.

McGill’s has confirmed that, from March 26, the number 19 service linking the villages with Paisley will be scrapped.

It means villagers will have to go via Johnstone or Linwood if they want to get to Paisley – and services to both of those towns are much less frequent.

McGill’s has also announced it is to stop running the number eight service, which runs between Linwood and Johnstone.

Councillor Natalie Don, who represents Bridge of Weir, Bishopton and Langbank, said she is appalled by the way McGill’s is treating its customers.

She told The Gazette: “This is terrible news for Bridge of Weir and Houston. The number 19 has been a staple in our villages for as long as I can remember and is used regularly by the community.

“McGill’s has not taken into account the impact this will have on local people. This decision will hit the elderly hard and others who use this service regularly to get to work in Inchinnan or Paisley.

“There are also many young people who will suffer from this decision as they rely on this service to get to school, college and university.

“I have requested a meeting with McGill’s and can assure residents I will do everything in my limited power to fight this decision.”

However, McGill’s has defended its decision.

Ralph Roberts, the firm’s managing director, said: “In 2013, after the collapse of Riverside Travel, we rescued these routes at short notice to provide local bus users with a service. However, after four years of internal subsidy from passengers on busier routes, we have regrettably had to make the decision to cease the operation of these services.

“In the current climate, we have a choice to constantly increase fares or cut back services that require high internal subsidy from other busier services.

“This pains us greatly and is always a last resort.”