MP to host meeting over bus service cuts

AS THE MP for Reading East prepares to chair a meeting over Woodley and Earley buses, his political opposites have criticised him for a “shocking silence” on the issue. On Saturday morning, Matt Rodda will invite residents to the gathering to talk about reductions of services to the 19a/c Reading Buses routes. Wokingham Conservatives said that Labour’s involvement is “too little, too late” and that Mr Rodda’s stance has been at odds with his involvement in a similar campaign in Caversham. They are now calling on Mr Rodda to work with councillors of all political parties to publicly request that Reading Buses reinstate the services and increase the funding. Cllr Alison Swaddle, Wokingham Borough Councillor (WBC) for Bulmershe & Whitegates ward, said: “Local councillors are deeply concerned that our local MP seems to have nothing to say up until now on this issue. “Why has Mr Rodda been so keen to speak out about services in Caversham, but not those in Woodley and Earley? “Could it be that Mr Rodda, who has involvement in Reading Buses through Reading Borough Council, has seen no political advantage in helping Woodley and Earley residents living in Conservative-run Wokingham Borough? But Mr Rodda said that Saturday is a non-political public meeting in Woodley to discuss proposed cuts to bus services open to all He added: “I hope councillors, residents and community groups can work together to find a way to fund the bus services.”  The meeting is at the Oakwood Centre from 11am.