BUS ROUTES are on the verge of being saved as the council negotiates new services to replace those being abandoned.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is at the 'final stage' of agreeing a new contract to ensure routes 2, 10/11, and 15 are replaced, following the routes being dropped or reduced by the current operator, First Buses.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for highways, transport and Windsor, said: "I would like to reassure residents there will be no break in service for users of the First Bus routes 2, 10/11 and 15.

"We know how important these routes are in keeping our communities well connected and I am pleased to say that we are at the final stage of securing alternative provision.

"There will be some changes to the routes and timetables but we are ensuring these communities can continue to access a bus service that works for them."

The Royal Borough did not indicate at this stage which operator would be taking over the service.

Route 2, that runs between Dedworth, Windsor, and Slough, was previously going to be cut, in addition to route 10/11 between Slough, Datchet, and Heathrow, and route 15, between Slough and Eton Wick.

The new service is scheduled to begin when routes 10/11 and 15 end on Saturday, January 20  and route 2 ends on Tuesday, January 30.

Reading Buses announced today (Wednesday) that they have submitted a registration to cover route 2. 

Some weeks ago, Slough Borough Council contracted Reading Buses to replace some First Buses services in order to keep routes 4, 5, and 6 running normally. Reading Buses is due to take over on Saturday, January 20.

Service 7, that runs between Slough, Langley, and Heathrow, has not been covered by either council, but will continue to run with a reduced timetable.