FUNDING for bus services in West Berkshire has been cut by more than a third over the past seven years, new data reveals. 

Figures obtained from a freedom of information request show West Berkshire Council spent £4,443,075 in the financial year 2012-2013, while only £3,266,678 is budgeted this year. 

This is a decrease of 36.6 per cent, adjusting for inflation. 

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The funding cuts have increased social isolation, private car use, pollution and carbon emissions, according to opposition councillors. 

Councillor Alan Macro (Lib Dem, Theale) said: “The reduction led to extreme cuts in bus services to rural areas. Many villages that previously had a two-hourly bus service were reduced to having a minibus twice a day, timed to take students to and from school.”

Cllr Macro said it means people who don’t drive are more socially isolated, have difficulty getting to the shops, and must consider moving into towns to be able to get to work. 

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He added: “It has also led to a lot more pollution and carbon dioxide emissions because people in the villages have no alternative but to use the private car to travel to work or to the shops.”

The council decided in July to work towards becoming carbon zero by 2030, and government statistics have shown that road transport causes the most carbon emissions across West Berkshire. 

Cllr Carolyne Culver (Green, Ridgeway) said: “West Berkshire Council declared a climate emergency in July, and we have only 10 years left to achieve carbon neutrality in this district. 

“We need to reverse the stark decline in spending on public transport if we are to meet this target.”

However, the council has said it plans to review bus use, as part of its plan to reduce carbon emissions. 

Peta Stoddart-Crompton, spokeswoman for the council, said: “We are currently prioritising transport resources to reduce carbon emissions. 

“Our local transport plan is being reviewed as part of our new environment strategy, and we are considering a number of projects which will offer a greater number of sustainable transport options to our residents. Bus use will be a part of that review.”