Buses will make Northbrook Street unsafe - Hunneman

7.43.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Jul 2006

Buses and pedestrians won't mix

Councillor Roger Hunneman today took to the streets of Newbury to highlight growing concerns over allowing buses into Northbrook Street. Commenting after walking through the busy pedestrian area of the town centre, Councillor Hunneman said:

"Lib Dems at West Berks Council are opposed to buses using Northbrook Street while the Market is located there. It is easy to see from this picture that the combination of buses, pedestrians and market stalls would be a dangerous one.

"We believe that there is now strong public desire to permanently exclude buses from Northbrook Street and retain this splendid atmosphere. West Berkshire Liberal Democrats will protect the safety of those enjoying Newbury town centre."

Councillor Hunneman began looking into the traffic management in the centre of Newbury following numerous complaints he has received from pedestrians, market traders and public transport users alike.

Councillor Hunneman continued:

"With over a year in power in which to plan the closure of Wharf Street and the Market Place, it is now time for the Conservatives to deliver without further unnecessary disruption. Even before they came to power they promised not to go ahead with the Market Place Scheme until the traffic problems had been overcome*. Despite saying this they proceeded anyway. It is now time for them to act and sort these problems out."