Furious pensioners today claimed they have been left stranded after their local bus service was re-routed to allow repairs to take place on a railway bridge.

Bus company First has been forced to divert its 601, 602, 606, and 607 services around the Holme Wood estate for a five-week period due to the closure of Tyersal Lane.

But residents who usually catch the bus at the top of Broadstone Way now face a lengthy walk to the nearest stop - or an expensive taxi ride.

Resident Jim Cunliffe, 80, said: "When you are getting old and have turned 80, it is quite a hill to walk up. A lot of the people who live around here are elderly and feel the same way. I just don't think this move has been thought through."

Gladys Hayes, 78, pictured, who has just been released from hospital after suffering a heart attack, said: "We are cut off completely unless we go down to the church and it is a long way down there. But even worse trying to walk back. I have just come out of hospital and this is the last thing that I need."

Local vicar the Reverend Gordon Dey said: "We appreciate they have got to repair this bridge, but it is crazy if that leaves a lot of people with a very difficult journey."

Councillor Tony Niland (Lab, Bowling) said: "You cannot leave one of the biggest estates in Yorkshire without a bus service. There are elderly people and single parents up there that rely on a bus service.

"This must be sorted out and it must be sorted out straight away."

Andy Campbell, managing director of First in Bradford, said: "We regret the inconvenience to our customers and we will reinstate the service as soon as the bridge repairs have been completed."