A PUBLIC meeting was held at Highdown School on Monday evening after Reading Buses announced plans to scrap a popular route from the Caversham timetable.

More than 150 guests gathered in the meeting hall as Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, raised concerns over the proposal to remove the Pink 24.

A panel including Tony Pettit, chief financial and information officer for Reading Buses and Councillor Jane Stanford-Beale, non-executive director for the bus firm, heard representations from the public.

Concerns were raised on a number of issues ranging from the isolation of the elderly and infirm, to the reduction in air quality on account of increased car usage by residents in areas not serviced by a bus route.

Mr Rodda said: “It was an excellent meeting which I believe went really well.

"Having heard the many worries from constituents, I look forward to assembling their concerns into a detailed letter which I will prepare and write to Reading Buses as part of my involvement in this process.

"Some very valid issues have been raised, and I feel it is important that Reading Buses are aware of these when undertaking their consultation process.

"I hope to be able to give further feedback to the constituency from Reading Buses once I have received a response from the letter I shall be sending them in due course.”

The current consultation runs until October 31 and further details of the proposed changes can be found at: http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/articles/consultation-on-caversham-routes/