Published: Tuesday, 5th May, 2009 9:00am

Letter: Transport hub move is a backwards step

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I think it is essential that there is an excellent transport interchange in Reading for people using any combination of buses, taxis and trains.

This means the interchange needs to be in one place. A split site interchange cannot be as effective as a single site interchange.

I have looked in vain for details of the proposed interchange after the Station Hill and Railway station changes.

I gather that the interchange will be partly in Vastern Road and partly in Station Hill. Am I mistaken? How could this work?

It sounds a retrograde step to me. Please can we have clarification.

I know that buses need a place to pause, catch up with the timetable etc. I do not mind where this is located, as long there is such provision so that the timetables work reliably.

But I do expect Reading to have one place where people can access all buses. I do not expect to have to trek from one side of the railway lines to another to change buses.

We have a radial bus system and since Broad Street was pedestrianised Station Hill has been the hub.

Unless this simple criterion is met I think that the proposals for Station Hill are fatally flawed and should be re-considered yet again.

It is no good having a super updated railway station with reduced access to buses.

Reading needs to plan for a good public transport system and reject any proposals that would damage it or prevent future improvements, however flash the proposals appear at first glance; it is worth putting up with grot to get the right scheme.

Jenny Cottee

Westwood Road

Tilehurst