Immediate, temporary change to Number 22 Bus
As from, Saturday 8th October, the Number 22 Bus route will change temporarily to the originally registered route via Oakley Road until Wednesday 9th November.This means the 3 bus stops in Albert Road between The Mount and the junction with Highmoor Road will not be served. This is particularly undesirable for residents with mobility problems trying to access the Albert Road Day Centre.
Reading Buses has been forced into this change upon instructions from the Traffic Commissioner for the Western Traffic Area.
You can read more about it here on Reading Buses' website
Original story published in September
Many local residents were very concerned at Reading Buses' proposal to alter the route of the 22 bus; particularly to divert the No 22 bus to travel via Hemdean Road and Oakley Road instead of Priest Hill and the southern end of Albert Road.
Peppard Ward Cllr Richard Willis (Conservative lead for Transport), together with many local residents attended a meeting on Monday 5th September at which James Freeman, Chairman of Reading Buses, was the guest speaker. Following this meeting and after discussions with Rob Wilson MP, Reading Buses will now make a small diversion to its new service, operating via Hemdean Road, the lower part of Oakley Road, Kidmore Road, before resuming its present route at The Mount going on into Albert Road.
This means that people who live on The Mount area and the southern section of Albert Road will not after all be losing their service. The new arrangement operates in both directions.
See the map here
Rob Wilson MP said: "I am delighted that Reading Buses have listened carefully to the concerns I put to the company and have made a change that is significant in providing a better service to residents in the Priest Hill, Mount and Kidmore Road area.
I know that from the huge correspondence I had that many people were concerned about this change and it was important for me to ensure that Reading Buses understood this and reacted positively, which I am delighted to say they have."
Thames Ward Councillor David Stevens said: "I understand the financial pressures on Reading Buses, but it is important that we continue providing a decent service in an area with a significant number of elderly residents that depend on the bus service. I am pleased that we Conservatives have managed to achieve these important changes to the route and that Reading Buses have listened."
Reading Buses registered the change with the Traffic Commissioner yesterday (12th September) using a special short notice provision so that it will come into force on 26th September
“We are pleased with these last minute changes, which show that we do listen and are willing to respond to what people tell us,” said James Freeman, Chief Executive Officer.