'RESTRICTED' elderly residents feel angry at a bus company for providing a shuttle bus "four miles away" from their homes.

South East Water's £1.4 million project to revamp the water network around Finchamsptead has seen a series of road closures in Nine Mile Ride in Crowthorne, Gorse Ride South and Billing Avenue.

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So far, the closures has meant Reading Buses has had to provide shuttle buses from various locations in Wokingham to avoid the current works taking place in Nine Mile Ride.

Reading Buses are currently providing diversion routes from Gorse Ride to California Country Park and Park Plane.

However, residents have complained to say there is no shuttle bus at Sheerlands Road which is where passengers could reconnect to the full Leopard Route service.

Vincent Sturt, resident in Wokingham, said: "It is totally unacceptable as there are many residents over 70-years-of-age who do not drive so there only option is the bus.

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"I live on California Country Park Homes and we have a number of elderly and vulnerable people who can in no way walk that far and also restricts there access to the doctors surgery, hospital and local shops.

"I feel they are failing in there duty to supply a service."

According to locals, the nearest bus stop is roughly four miles away at Hogwood Industrial Estate.

However now the closures are in place again — there are no replacement services for residents to use during the next phase of waterworks.

Reading Buses has since apologised over the situation and have said they are trying to make as many connections as possible.

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A Reading Bus spokesperson said: "“We are sorry that some residents are having trouble making journeys due to the latest phase of the road closure on Nine Mile Ride.

"Most residents are less than a mile away from the diverted leopard route which still runs along Barkham Ride. Clearly, when any road is closed, we are unable to follow the normal route and our customers will either end up being inconvenienced or potentially unable to travel if they are unable to reach the closest alternative.

"South East Water and Wokingham Borough Council ultimately have responsibility for this, and we have worked with them to provide a shuttle bus to help minimise the disruption and maintain as many connections as possible.

"We are currently in discussions with them to see if there are any other amendments that can be made to help address the latest concerns.”