Council Faces Backlash Over Bus Route Cuts

Neighbours have grilled the council after Reading Buses announced the number 22 service between Reading town centre and Caversham Heights will end on Monday, July 20. Reading Buses is owned by Reading Borough Council.

Passengers raised concerns at a policy committee meeting. Juliet England said: "I rely heavily on the number 22 service and hold a concessionary pass due to being hard of hearing, for which I’m very grateful to the council.

"I’m not aware of public consultation to assess the impact that the proposed withdrawal of this route will have on local residents, particularly those who depend on it for essential journeys."

She asked the council to expand the notice period and carry out a full consultation and impact assessment before any final decision.

John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for transport, replied: "The withdrawal of the route 22 service was made by Reading Buses rather than the council, and is therefore not subject to a public consultation.

"In this instance, the council is not the decision-making organisation and therefore not able to alter the decision of the bus operator as the result of a consultation."

Mrs England reacted: "This is wrong, cutting the service is just wrong, I’d urge the council to do whatever it can to exert maximum pressure on Reading Buses."

Tracey Haralambous warned: "For many residents living off Hunters Chase in Caversham Heights, including me, the alternative bus routes would involve an uphill walk of 20 minutes, far in excess of the standing planning guidance for an acceptable walk for a bus stop in urban areas."

Councillors Isobel Ballsdon and Saadia Saadat backed calls to review the decision. Cllr Ennis said: "I totally understand the frustrations that you are raising", but said he could not arrange an economically viable alternative and called the decision "very regrettable".

The answers were given at the policy committee meeting on Monday, June 15.

Cllr Saadat said: "Residents were not happy with the answers, it seems they have already decided, although if the council is the owner of the bus company, how can they not fix this? "They haven’t done an equality impact assessment."

She and Cllr Ballsdon are due to meet Reading Buses CEO Robert Williams on Wednesday, June 17. Matt Rodda MP and Cllr Jenny McGrother have also launched surveys and are arranging meetings about the scrapping of the 22.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter