FIRST Buses have thrown a lifeline to Bracknell residents in jeopardy of being left stranded by cuts, by announcing a new winter timetable for a popular route to London.

 
The revised 702 Greenline from Bracknell to London will run from September 26 and will incorporate stops at Heatherwood Hospital, Legoland and King Edward VII Hospital, which are currently served by the 191 service.


The 700 and 701 services are to be withdrawn for the winter but will resume in spring.


Plans were recently revealed by First Buses to completely withdraw their services, including the 700, 701 and 702 from Bracknell, leaving many elderly residents or those without a car or far away from a train station, unable to make the long trip to London Victoria. 


Under the proposal, the 191, which is a direct link from Bracknell to nearby Heatherwood Hospital, was due to cease from August 29, leaving residents with only the 192 service operated by Courtney Buses, which only runs once in the morning and once in the evening from Monday to Friday, and just twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon on a Saturday, with no service at all on a Sunday. 


Cllr Chris Turrell, Bracknell Forest's executive member for planning and transport, said: ‎"This is a welcome move forward for a service that was under threat of complete withdrawal. 


"It appears First have largely taken on board passengers' concerns and our representations. Clearly, the best way forward is for this service, and all bus services, to be well used. 


"We will monitor how the changes affect bus users, and will continue talking to bus operators and other councils to ensure the services are best for residents."