COACH company National Express is considering cutting its service from Cirencester to London as town centre congestion is leaving drivers up to half an hour behind schedule.

The 444 service picks up outside Beeches Car Park in London Road 11 times a day and is a vital transport link for the capital of the Cotswolds, which has no railway station.

But now National Express is considering taking Cirencester off its route so buses no longer stop there as they travel to London and back from Gloucester.

If the plans go ahead, Cirencester will be left without a direct link to the capital.

The move comes after coaches taking the usual route through The Forum and into Dyer Street were left stranded as they tried to turn right.

Cars parked opposite the junction have sometimes meant the large coaches either cannot turn, or get stuck halfway. Trucks delivering to nearby shops and businesses have made the situation worse.

On one occasion a frustrated driver had to wait 25 minutes before his coach could move on again, making it late for pick-ups further down the route.

Coaches are often forced to slow to a snail’s-pace on Dyer Street because of cars parked on either side of the road.

Members of Park Community Group were alerted to the problem by coach company officials and police at a recent meeting.

Chairman of the group Tony Curry said: “There’s been a great deal of concern in Dyer Street as buses come around the corner from The Forum. People are now parking on both sides of the road and we were told that by law the drivers can’t back down a one-way street.

“A lot of blue badge holders park there, which is fine, but sometimes it isn’t safe.

“God forbid that was a fire engine or an ambulance, there would’ve been absolute outrage.”

Drivers can face problems from passengers if they are badly delayed – particularly as many use the service for its stop at Heathrow Airport.

Mr Curry continued: “He said it’s causing real concern and they may have to consider pulling out of the service.”

A spokesman for National Express today reinforced the company's commitment to maintaining its Cirencester service.

He added that, although aware of the problems, they were committed to keeping the service running.

Leigh resident Alan Potter took the 10.45am coach from Cirencester on Tuesday for the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and said the loss of the service would be a "great shame".

"It’s just so much cheaper than the train,” he said.

Gloucester-based Bennetts Coaches run some of the services to and from London.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: “This isn’t something that has been raised with us previously.

“Any commercial decisions taken by National Express would be a matter for them and not the county council. However, we’d be happy to discuss any issues with them.”

A National Express spokesman said: "We are aware of the issue of congestion in Dyer Street which has occasionally caused delays to services.

"We are keen to work with the council to explore alternative options however we currently have no plans to stop coaches travelling into the town centre."