Revised bus routes will make it harder for people without cars to acces vital services, a worried resident has warned.

Royal Borough resident James Tapping has voiced concerns that proposed redrawn bus routes could make it harder for people to access local services or go food shopping.

The 29 year old, from Dedworth,  told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that his concerns about proposed new routes for supported bus services currently subject to a public consultation.

He said: “There are a lot of older people living in Dedworth, and it’s going to adversely affect them. I don’t think it’s going to work for them.

“The Borough (RBWM) in its financial situation need to make some changes. However, what they need to do is re-alter some of the routes that are already in place.”

It comes amid a wider consultation on changes to bus services in the borough – for which the contracts are expected to expire next summer.

Mr Tapping added: “I have ADHD and autism, I have quite a few health problems and I struggle with walking. If this route is taken away, it’s just going to cause havoc for people like myself.

“Taking the W1 away is going to make it harder for people to get out. It’s going to make it harder for people to go shopping.

“I want to see later routes going into Dedworth, as 7.30pm is the cut-off. If anyone was going out for the evening, they can’t get back unless they get a taxi – which has a ridiculous cost these days.”

A council spokesperson: “Parts of the W1 route are currently covered by Thames Valley Buses’ subsidised route 16 and the commercial route 2, and the consultation seeks resident and user feedback on a proposed route linking key destinations in Windsor, Clewer Green, Dedworth, Bray and Maidenhead.

The spokesperson noted that several changes have happened since bus services were last reviewed, such as changing passenger habits due to the Covid pandemic.

They added: “Alongside this, council finances are under significant pressure. The council, therefore, needs to make some changes while ensuring that the impact on those that use buses is minimised and that’s there’s coverage across as much of the borough as possible. All feedback will be considered carefully before any decisions are made.”

Anyone who wishes to respond to the bus consultation can do so here.