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• Archive Index 2009

News Archive - Week Beginning 26th Jan 2009

Buses - Emmer Green

There has been local protest at proposals announced by Reading Buses to replace the 137 bus service from Reading town centre to Peppard Common and the 138 to Sonning Common with a new bus route - Route 2, which will run every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly in the evenings and on Sundays. The new route misses out a "vital" loop through Tower Close, Marchwood Avenue and Kiln Road in Emmer Green, currently served by the 138, and has led to protest co-ordinated by local resident Chris Corti. Those affected by the proposals should contact Reading Buses by email or via its customer services on Tel: 0118 959 4000 by the deadline date of Friday, February 6th. Leaflets containing the proposals and planned timetables are available on rural buses, at the Broad Street Mall travel centre, or via the Reading Buses website.

Businesses - Caversham

A major feature profiles the Caversham wiring contractor Phase & Neutral Electrical Services, based at Elmleigh Court. The family-run business was launched in 2002 - with regards the credit crunch, its owner Neil O'Reilly says "things are tougher, but the phone is still ringing". (Reading Evening Post 30/01/09 p14)

Crime

A Caversham resident who committed a major house burglary on a property in Kidmore Road last June (and who returned to the road intending to conduct further thefts in July) has received a one-year prison sentence at Reading Crown Court. (Reading Evening Post 26/01/09 p11)

Housing

The RBC's environment and housing, health and community care scrutiny panels have decided to hold a consultation event on Tuesday, 10th of February to find out what local residents think of privately rented housing. The event will take place in the meeting area of the Hexagon theatre in Reading town centre, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm - topics up for discussion include the future of the town's private rented sector, how it can continue to meet the needs of local people and the economy and the condition of houses being rented privately. (Reading Evening Post, 29/01/09 p10)

Police

The MP for Reading East (and Caversham) Rob Wilson criticised the crime clear-up rate of Thames Valley Police during a Commons debate last Wednesday. He was specifically talking about serious acquisitive crime such as burglaries, theft and robberies, describing Reading police's 11.7% detection rate as "disappointing", and commenting that only three out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales have a worse rate of detection. (Reading Evening Post 30/11/09 p2)

Schools

A news feature in the 'Chronicle' marks the 20th anniversary of Mrs Joanne Harris, head teacher of Hemdean House School in Hemdean Road, joining the school. The school celebrates its 150th anniversary later this year. (Reading Chronicle 29/01/09 p15)

Surveys

A new study by the research group 'Centre for Cities' has identified Reading as Britain's most prosperous place outside London and the second least deprived area behind Aldershot. It also has the fifth highest level of employment. The study gives Reading a "green" rating, meaning that it is less likely to feel the effects of the economic downturn than other areas. (Reading Evening Post 26/01/09 pp1,3)