CAMPAIGNERS fighting against “a serious attack on commuters’ quality of life” have gained more than 3,000 backers.

Labour activists are battling to reinstate a full W12 service after Transport for London (TfL) cut the service by a third in December.

So far, 2,590 people have signed an online petition and 500 people a hard copy to bring the service back to three buses an hour.

The W12 is the only bus that goes from High Street, Wanstead, to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone. Other locations served include George Lane, South Woodford, and Walthamstow Village.

Paul Donovan, Labour Party candidate for Wanstead Village in May’s local elections, said the amount of support gathered shows how worried people are about the cut.

He said: "The W12 provides a vital service for people across east London. The 3,000 signatures collected already reflect the depth of concern in the community about the reduction of the service.

"For those who rely on the bus as their only means of transport, this amounts to a serious attack on their quality of life. It is no time to be cutting the service in such a way."

John Cryer, Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead said: “There has been a gradual chipping away over the years at bus services, which provide a vital means of transport - especially for old and young people.

“The overall move is also regrettable as it forces people more toward having to use their cars.

"TFL need to start listening and acting in a more accountable way to the communities they seek to serve. If they do that in this case they will restore the W12 service and reverse the overall policy of running down bus services across Wanstead and Leyton."

Campaigners plan to hand over the petition to TfL at its headquarters in St James’s.

Bob Blitz, TfL network planning manager said: “Following a review, we have changed the frequency of the W12 bus to better match passenger demand.

“We continue to run a regular service to Whipps Cross hospital and are monitoring the usage so that we can be sure that the changes are right and do not adversely affect local people.”

Click here to view the petition.