CAMPAIGNERS have been left frustrated after further 'substantial' cuts were unveiled by Reading Buses.

The bus company could make changes to routes in Caversham for the second time in a year, citing the low demand for the service and poor financial turnover.

An online petition, started by Cameron Moorcroft-Towers, was launched in response to the proposals and it has achieved more than 700 signatures.

He said: "The proposed cuts would see a reduction in bus services on routes 22, 23, 24, 25. Reading Buses has money to spare and they continue to invest heavily in other routes.

"The town currently prides itself on its bus network, though soon that may not be the case. If Reading Buses is struggling to get passengers on the bus, more and more cuts are certainly not the way forward.

"Instead, providing a frequent and fast service makes the bus far more attractive and, most importantly, practical."

As part of the proposals, Pink 25 would run on an hourly off-peak basis, while retaining the current half hourly frequency during peak times.

Sundays will also be reduced to every two hours to reflect the demand for this service.

Mr Moorcroft-Towers added: "Reading is a growing town, so it is fundamentally wrong for the bus network to be shrinking.

"Reading Buses needs to start supporting the potential for growth, otherwise it risks following the countrywide trend. If action is not taken now to stop these cuts, a declining service is inevitable."