Published: Thursday, 29th January, 2009 3:00pm

Bue route heading in the wrong direction

by Annabel Williams

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READING Buses wants passenger feedback on an overhaul of rural services - but some residents already say the plans literally do not go far enough.

Services 137, 138, 143, 148 and 149 will be replaced by routes 2 and 3 from April 20, and there will be more evening and Sunday buses.

The 137 service from Reading town centre to Peppard Common and the 138 to Sonning Common will become Route 2, running every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly in the evenings and on Sundays.

It will also become a cross-town service, running on to Burghfield, Burghfield Common and Mortimer.

But the new route misses out a "vital" loop through Tower Close, Marchwood Avenue and Kiln Road in Emmer Green, currently served by the 138.

Marchwood Avenue resident Chris Corti and his Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator wife, Shirley, contacted The Chronicle and said: "If the new service misses out the loop, the elderly and infirm around here will have to walk to bus stops along Peppard Road, which is a long way.

"Coming back, they'll be dropped on the other side of the road and there are no crossings for them.

"I have had more than 10 people saying they're concerned, including an 85-year-old lady who said she won't be able to go shopping."

Route 3 will replace the 143, 148 and 149 service, operating from Reading town centre to Burghfield, Burghfield Common, then direct to the AWE and Tadley.

It will reduce journey times between Tadley and Reading.

Nikki Ball, Reading Buses spokeswoman, said the new timetables were drawn up after last Autumn's public consultation and she added: "Although the main layout of the services has been decided, there is still time to consider any details that might occur to people before the services are registered with the Traffic Commissioner."

*The deadline is February 6 and leaflets containing the proposals and planned timetables are available on rural buses, at the Broad Street Mall travel centre, on www.reading-buses.co.uk, by emailing customerservices@reading-buses.co.uk or calling customer services on 0118 959 4000.

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