Newbury resident's dismay over bus changes

A number of changes were made to the frequency of bus services in south Newbury last week

A NEWBURY resident has expressed her dismay at changes to a bus service in south Newbury which she claims were made without any consultation.

On Tuesday, January 4, changes were introduced on Newbury Buses' services to Greenham, Pigeons Farm and Glendale Avenue, with extra buses being added to increase the service frequency to town or Tesco Extra on Pinchington Lane for south Newbury residents.

However, residents in Wendan Road and Chandos Road will now be served by the 103 service operated by Newbury and District (Weavaway), with five off-peak buses in each direction.

And Betty Hatton, of Croft Road, said the new bus times were not very convenient, with the first bus to town on weekdays at 10.25am and the last bus back from town at 2.35pm, with no buses on a Saturday.

She said: “I am not happy with the service and I was only notified by a driver.

“I know there are needs to cut back but this is not very good really and there was no consultation at all.”

Mrs Hatton said that people living off Chandos Road would be affected by the changes, adding that some may now have to walk home.

However, West Berkshire Council, who reached the agreement with Weavaway, has defended the revised service.

Council spokesman, Phil Spray, said: “The changes are the result of a commercial decision by Newbury Buses to alter this part of their network.

“In order to ensure that this area continues to receive a bus service, the council has reached an agreement with Newbury and District (Weavaway) to alter their 103 service at no extra cost to include Wendan Road and Chandos Road with five off-peak buses in each direction.

“Customer notices were put up at all the relevant bus stops in advance. It is also possible for passengers to use other services nearby, including those to Andover Road and Newtown Road.”