Reading Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat campaigners are calling for Reading University and Reading Transport to work together to restore a vital bus link for students cut earlier this Autumn.

Working with Reading University’s Liberal Democrats and Woodley’s Liberal Democrat Councillors, Lib Dem prospective MP for Reading East Gareth Epps has handed in a petition signed by hundreds of Bulmershe students demanding a restored affordable shuttle bus after a petition-signing session on campus. This followed the withdrawal without consultation of the shuttlebus connecting Bulmershe with the main Whiteknights campus.

In a private meeting with Reading Buses chief James Freeman in November, Gareth sought confirmation that the reconfigured Reading Buses routes would restore a link, but asked whether the University was prepared to consider a subsidy to make the fare affordable for students. He was told the University had refused to consider a subsidy.

Gareth says:-
“There is overwhelming support among Bulmershe students for our campaign to restore the bus link. This is just another front line service that has been axed by Reading University. Along with PCSOs and departmental staff, the wrong people are being targeted by University bosses as they respond to Government cuts. The new bus services could – if the will is there – result in at least this service improvement, in spite of the other cuts faced by Woodley residents.”

“Bulmershe students have been left lingering in the dark once again” said Mark Whiley, President of Reading University Liberal Democrats Society. “We’ve collected petitions from almost two-thirds of Bulmershe students, wanting a voice to bring back an efficient, affordable and convenient bus service.

“There is a commitment to safety here; a commitment to promises made by the University upon the arrival of Freshers in September; and for students that paid for their course to be able to get to lectures on time and use the services available on Whiteknights Campus.”

Bulmershe JCR President, Liz McCarthur backed the campaign: “It’s understandable that the University is facing hard times and therefore is forced to make significant cuts… however, it is simply unfair, inappropriate, and most unacceptable for Bulmershe students to be left unprovided for, especially as the five hundred-odd Freshers find themselves in an already disadvantaged position upon arrival.”

“It is my view that as long as lessons are taught there and Bulmershe houses students, there must be a shuttle service, irrespective of whether or not the University makes a loss on providing it. The fact will always remain that those students on principle deserve equal opportunities and access to the facilities that all of Reading students have available to them.”

Cllr Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Reading East, has reacted with anger to the news that the Planning Inspector has allowed a massive development on the controversial Sandford Farm site in Woodley in the constituency.

Development on the site has for many years been opposed by residents in the area and by the Loddon Valley Action Group. Liberal Democrat councillor for Loddon, Phil Challis, has been among the leadership of the campaign for some years and presented planning evidence to the inquiry.

Commenting, Gareth says:

“This is a devastating decision for residents of Woodley and the wider area surrounding Sandford Farm. The Loddon Valley Action Group has long worked with great courage and tenacity to protect the safety of residents from these dangerous plans.

Unfortunately their work has been undermined from two sides. Central Government planning policies ride roughshod over environmental concerns and allow development on environmentally damaging sites such as this. Compounding this was the decision of Wokingham’s Conservative Council to allocate the site for development – a decision that pulled the rug from under Woodley.

I and Woodley’s Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to support LVAG and local residents in fighting this wrongheaded plan by any means possible.”

Editor’s Notes:

Click here for the Loddon Valley Action Group information site.

Reading Buses are planning to stop running the 63/64 services to Colemansmoor Rd, Woodley Airfield and Glendevon Rd areas in September, replacing the service with an hourly service by extending the route of the 62.

Savage cuts to Woodley’s bus services are being considered as part of a drive by Reading Buses to reduce their currently unsustainable financial losses.

The new 63/64 had been a glowing success, adding over 11% to journey numbers, but like all of Reading’s buses has recently been hit by the impact of the recession.

Reading Buses cut back services over the summer, and has announced plans to withdraw the 63/64 from Colemansmoor Road, Airfield and Glendevon Road areas and replace them with an hourly service by extending the J62. A decision was delayed following short term funding from Reading Borough Council.

Phill Challis, Lib Dem councillor for Loddon ward on Wokingham Borough Council said “My colleagues and I will be lobbying hard to ensure that the Tory led council in Wokingham fulfils its responsibility to maintain an acceptable service on the socially necessary routes”

Gareth Epps said “We want to understand the effects of these cuts on local people. That’s why Liberal Democrats have launched a bus user survey. We welcome your views so we can give Reading Transport feedback about the bus services local people need.”

Gareth continued “A reliable bus service is important to many residents and I and Lib Dem Councillors will make representations to get a better deal.

Please help me to understand the needs of local bus users by taking a few minutes to complete and return the survey which can be found here.”

Thank you for your time.

Gareth Epps,

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

Reading East

In line with the Lib Dem policy to cut crime, Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Kay Gilder, is pleased to announce the completion of a formal agreement with Thames Valley Police for a dedicated office at the Oakwood Centre for the neighbourhood police team to use as a base. The agreement includes a commitment from the police to hold surgeries and provide neighbourhood police officers and two police community support officers (recruitment permitting) in the town.

As soon as the necessary police equipment is installed, the local police and the PCSOs will be using the office as a base during their shifts.

Although it will not operate as a police station, it will result in the police being in the town longer during their shifts and increase the already beneficial liaison on local matters between the police and the Town Council.

People can stop PCSO Irene McKenzie (shown with Town Mayor Cllr Tony Mattingley) whenever they see her out and about. She works a shift pattern so it is not just office hours. Also, anyone can leave a message at the Town Council offices at the Oakwood Centre for her, either in person or by calling 0118 969 0356. From April she will have a dedicated police office within the Oakwood Centre as well.

For more information see the Woodley Herald February 2007 Issue 2

Thames Valley Police held a Recruitment Roadshow for PCSOs on Thursday 15th March. We should know the results soon.

The Liberal Democrats are taking the lead, proposing real action at a national level and acting to cut crime where we are in power locally. Violent crime is rising, anti-social behaviour is still a serious problem, and our prisons are overflowing.

Labour have talked tough but have failed to deliver despite 10 years in power.

The Tories are in disarray on crime. One day it’s hug a hoodie; the next it’s slap a hoodie. Who knows what the Tories stand for now? What we do know is that the last Tory government cut police numbers and let violent crime double. In fact the Woodley Tories are so far behind the times that their website is still showing their belated attempt (March 2006) to raise a petetion to implement the Woodley PCSO scheme that was already being considered by the Lib Dems.

For more information visit the Lib Dem We Can Cut Crime website today