The two bus companies operating in Swindon will be asked to look into reviving the defunct 20 route.

Swindon Borough Council voted last night to get the cabinet member for highways Maureen Penny to write to Swindon’s Bus Company And Stagecoach about the route which used to serve communities between Stratton and Great Western Hospital.

But Labour members, including Bazil Solomon who put forward the motion found themselves voting against it, because they think it will achieve nothing.

Coun Solomon's motion said: “The council should work with parish councils whose boundaries the 20 bus went through to find a solution to reintroducing the service” and requested Coun Penny to set up a working group.

The Conservative group which runs the council amended that motion to simply request Coun Penny to write to the bus companies, after noting the route had previously been subsidised by the NHS and closed when that funding stopped because it didn't attract sufficient passengers.

Dale Heenan, the cabinet member for the town centre said: "We all want this bus route to be brought back, but this council has talked about it before. We've debated it in this chamber, this motion is not new. Parish councils were discussing it and speaking to the bus company in the summer just gone.

"Now is not the time for another working group. Now is the time for action, we should get on with it and write to the bus companies."

But Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors weren't impressed - they thought that was both too easy, and too easily deflected.

Lib Dem Stan Pajak said: "Writing nicely to the bus company won't achieve anything, asking if they wouldn't mind bringing back the 20 bus. When they say 'no' , what do we say? 'Blow me, what do we do now?'"

Coun Solomon said he was shocked at the amendment of his motion: "I don't know why it's been changed. But for us to say we can write a letter while our elderly people have to walk to the hospital that's what really shocks me."

The amended motion was passed by Conservative votes outnumbering those of Labour and Lib Dem members.

Alex Chutter, general manager, Swindon’s Bus Company: “As always, we are keen to work with the council to see what is possible for re-introducing the service, and we are always open to suggestions. I await the letter with interest.”

Rupert Cox, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “We are always open to feedback from the local community and work closely with the Council to ensure that the services we are providing continue to meet residents’ needs. We welcome a conversation with the Council to discuss options regarding the route in question.”