Park-and-ride could close

Published 27 Feb 2011 08:00 3 Comments

THE AXE is hanging over a key park-and-ride service and motorists were shocked yesterday (Wednesday) when The Chronicle broke the news that its days could be numbered.

The Loddon Bridge Park-and-Ride service, which ferries commuters and shoppers from Winnersh into Reading town centre, is set to close on February 4 next year unless a new deal can be done with owners Showcase Cinemas over the lease.

Wokingham Borough Council's strategic director of resources, Graham Ebers, said: "We need to either negotiate an extension or look at other options for park-and-ride facilities. It is in their rights not to renew the lease.

"The park-and-ride is of considerable benefit for a number of our residents and it's in our core strategy to have one along the A329M, but there is nothing solid in regard to an alternative that I can tell you."

He said the site, managed by Vinci Park Services UK Ltd, is not ideal because it is prone to flooding from the nearby River Loddon which can force it to close.

The numbers of people using the buses have also dropped. After its launch in 2007, there were up to 700 cars in the car park daily, compared to just 350 last year. When The Chronicle checked at 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday), midway through half-term week, there were just 129 cars there.

Anne Stansted, 26, from Earley, said: "This is truly awful news. When were they going to let us know, and what will replace it? I'll have to drive in but surely this will lead to more cars on the roads and I use the bus to avoid the traffic. There's also nowhere sensible to park near where I work."

Jackie Macgregor, from Winnersh, said: "I was not aware of this at all. I use this service about three times a week to get to work in Reading, so if it's scrapped I'll have no choice but to drive in. I think it will affect people hugely."

Peter Cane from Woodley added: "I use the buses every weekday to get into Reading. I can use the number 12 or 13 bus from Woodley instead, but it's much slower and I prefer this service."

When asked if he was confident the lease would be renewed, Mr Ebers said: "I can't say at the moment I am confident. I can't speak with any great certainty."

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• 

  Oldgeezer
  Unregistered User
  Feb 27, 08:19
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  It would be a great pity to see it go - as it was also a great loss when the London coach service was wound up years ago.
  
  With train fares certain to continue to rise sharply it might be posible - if someone from Reading Buses were to do the forecasts - to re-establish a limited commuter service to London. Three or four coaches full morning and evening from Loddon Bridge would go some way to sharing the cost of the facility.
  
  If not Reading Buses, then would Armcahir like to take another look at the service?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

• 

  Woodley Old Man
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 10:58
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  Two points: Firstly this is the wrong place. It should have been sited at the end of the A329M (or whatever RBC now call the downgraded section into Thames Park). A walkway into Reading would have been well used, and only a short bus ride would have been required by the remainder. RBC have always resisted the A329M providing access into Reading as was originally proposed, to get the A33 used instead where they could sell land fthey owned for development.
  
  Secondly, yes, I was a daily user of the London Line, and now when we want to pop into London for the day there is no such service (one has to drive to Slough and catch the Green Line). The London Line was a great service that all the drivers were proud of, and yes, was perhaps too regular for its own good. But a few morning and afternoon trips both ways would I believe find quite a demand. Oh for the days standing at Hyde Park Corner waiting for the comfortable bus to arrive that took me home!!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

• 

  Tom_Ainsworth
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 20:28
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  What's RBC got to say about this, don't they have quite a big hand in it too?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

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