New hospital Park and Ride

READING Buses is opening up its Park and Ride to and from the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

From Monday, the company will be offering the Hospital Park and Ride 300 from Thames Valley to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and then Christchurch Green and Mereoak Park and Ride.

This will connect the hospital with the park and ride locations and the University.

The service replaces the closed-door H3 service for hospital and university staff and students, with a new name to reflect that it is also available to members of the public.

It will run up to every 20 minutes in peak hours, and every 30 minutes during the day, with the first buses of the day timed to arrive at the hospital at 6.45am and leaving at 7.15pm.

Fares on the service will be a part of the simplyReading zone which allows travel on all Reading Buses services.

Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to continue developing services in the area to support the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and to help encourage a switch to more sustainable transport options.

“Free travel will continue to be available for Royal Berkshire Hospital and University employees, and now the public can also use the service so that they don’t have to worry about finding a parking space at the hospital.”

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

LOVE was on the shopping lists on Saturday, as Cupid turned up at a Reading shopping centre, complete with his bow and arrow.

There was music, and love and romance –but no moonlight – as Broad St. Mall turned its spotlight on an early celebration of Valentine’s Day.

A floral bench was installed in Central Square, so customers could take a selfie with their loved one or best friend.

And there was a hedged heart set up full with red roses.

Visitors could pick a flower and take home with them. For those with a sweeter tooth and younger in years, chocolate heart lollipops on offer.

And to cap it off, there was a performance from Reading Male Voice Choir.

Ahead of the day, Steven Connolly, general manager of Broad St. Mall said: “It’s great we have so much on offer this Valentine’s Day at Broad Street Mall. Whether with a friend or a loved one, we hope customers enjoy celebrating at the mall with us.”

Judging from our pictures, they certainly did. n To find out more about events at the shopping centre, log on to: broadstreetmall.com

Janet Lippett, acting chief executive officer for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said; “We know the experience patients and visitors have travelling to hospital can make a huge difference to their health and wellbeing.

“We are really excited to be opening this park and ride service to the public – providing them with an easy and sustainable way to get to Royal Berkshire Hospital without having to drive.”