Fish bus trips at risk from weather

PEOPLE who use the Sonning Common Fish bus have been warned trips could be cancelled at the last minute due to cold weather this winter.

Bus manager John Pearman said snow or icy conditions on the roads might mean cancellations.

He said: “Wherever possible, notice of any cancellation will be given the day or evening before the trip is due to take place.

“However, given that weather conditions can change quickly overnight, this may not always be feasible.

“Bus passengers should be aware that, as a rule, if it is snowing or if there is snow or ice on the ground that is not thawing it is likely that any planned bus trip for that day will be cancelled.

“If the weather is poor passengers may make their own decision not to travel if they feel concerned about their own safety when on foot.

“It is understood that this decision may be made at a time which will not allow the Fish office to be informed.”

The trips planned for this month are:

l A pub lunch on December 15. The cost is £6 plus the cost of food, with pick-up from home at 11.30am.

l A trip to Newbury town centre on December 20. The cost is £8 with collection from home at 10am.

l Trips to Tesco in Henley every Monday except Boxing Day, which will be replaced with a trip on December 27.  These cost £3 (or free with a bus pass) with pick-up from home at 9am.

A free Christmas tea party will be held at Sonning Common village hall on Monday with pick-up at 1.45pm.

For more information, call 0118 972 3986.

l Sonning Common Parish Council is to spend £2,500 preparing the village for extreme winter weather. It will buy a generator for the village hall so it can be used as a warm, safe haven during power outages. The generator would power a gas boiler and circulatory pump to help provide light, heating and cooking facilities.