ReadiBus: Lib Dems Submit Petition to Review Cuts to Service

The Liberal Democrats on West Berkshire Council have submitted a petition signed by over 1,200 West Berkshire residents calling on Conservative Council bosses to review the decisions that caused the service to lose its funding in 2021.

Back in 2021 the Conservative administration of West Berkshire Council refused to release funding to the ReadiBus service, which provides transport for vulnerable and disabled West Berkshire residents, after the trustees declined to sign what they claimed to be a "gagging clause" being imposed by the Council. The Liberal Democrats immediately launched a campaign to save this vital service, and, through their running of Newbury and Thatcham Town Councils, managed to provide some funds to allow a basic service to continue to operate.

The Liberal Democrat petition submitted at Thursday's meeting of the West Berkshire Council Executive calls on the Council administration to make sure that the important service remains available for those who need it, when they need it, for the long term.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on West Berkshire Council, Lee Dillon, said:

“Back in 2021 the decision made by Conservative bosses of West Berkshire Council to try and force a gagging clause on ReadiBus left many vulnerable and disabled West Berkshire residents facing the loss of a service that means so much to them.

Without the leadership shown by Liberal Democrat controlled Newbury and Thatcham Town Councils, these residents would now be without any access to the ReadiBus. Now we need West Berkshire Council to use the resources it has to bring back the ReadiBus full-time.

Over 1,200 West Berkshire residents have backed our campaign showing the strength of feeling of people across our district. The Conservatives cannot simply ignore them. They should act now to ensure the ReadiBus is available for those who need it, when they need it, for the long term."