Over 150 people attended a Public Meeting held at Highdown School on Monday evening, 16 October 2017.

The event, arranged by Reading East MP Matt Rodda was to enable public feedback concerning the recent consultation on proposed changes to the bus routes serving Caversham, Caversham Heights and Emmer Green.

A panel included Tony Pettitt, the Chief Financial and Information Officer from Reading Buses and Peppard ward Councillor Jane Stanford-Beale in her capacity as a non-executive Director of Reading Buses. Also present were Councillor Richard Davies and Councillor David Stevens from Caversham and Thames wards respectively.

Residents’ concerns were raised on a variety 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. The audience separated into ‘break-out’ groups and discussed each service which affected them the most; this was then fed back to the panel towards the end of the meeting, after which a ‘Question and Answer’ session wrapped up the evening’s proceedings.

Following the meeting, Matt 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 process is due to expire on 31 October and further details of the proposed changes can be found on the Reading Buses website at:

http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/articles/consultation-on-caversham-routes/