Transport and Travel

Transport

 The Department for Transport (DfT) is the government department responsible for providing policy, guidance and funding to local authorities. This enables them to run and maintain highways, to fund local bus services and to invest in and promote lower carbon travel, such as cycling and walking. The DfT is also responsible for other forms of travel, including rail services.

The DfT delegates many of its responsibilities to Wokingham Borough Council as the responsible local Highways Authority. The Parish Council interacts regularly with Wokingham to represent your interests on all matters related to transport and highways. However, all decisions relating to roads, speed limits, signage, etc. are ultimately the responsibility of Wokingham Borough Council.

Further information on transport and travel across the borough is available via Wokingham Borough Council’s website. My Journey Wokingham is a borough-wide sustainable travel campaign that aims to help and inspire people to travel by alternative modes.

Bus Services

Throughout the past year the Parish Council has engaged with Wokingham Borough Council and Reading Buses over the future of local bus services. The result of arranging and/or attending meetings, contributing to local media coverage and conducting a survey of residents is the services described below.

Our parish is currently served by the 600 route operated by Reading Buses which is owned by Reading Borough Council. It runs from Riseley, through Swallowfield, Spencers Wood and Three Mile Cross to Reading Town Centre and back. Connecting routes are available to other destinations such as Shinfield, the Royal Berkshire Hospital and Wokingham Town Centre. The 600 route also provides a connection to the Mereoak Park and Ride service. A full timetable for the 600 service is available on Reading Buses’ website.

There are also dedicated bus services that transport pupils to local secondary schools. For further information please consult Wokingham Borough Council’s website.

Rail Services

Located 4.5 miles from Swallowfield Parish Hall, the nearest train station, Mortimer, is on the line that runs between Basingstoke and Reading. Reading Station, which provides national rail services and a direct link to central London via both the Paddington Line and the Elizabeth Line, is 7 miles from Swallowfield, whilst Wokingham Station, which provides a connection to London Waterloo, is 8 miles away. Please see National Rail’s website for further information.

Transport for Residents with Access Issues

Keep Mobile is a voluntary organisation that provides transport for elderly and disabled individuals in Wokingham Borough and Bracknell Forest. Its mission is to help those unable to use other forms of transport (due to their disability and/or age) to reach their destination and maintain their independence when it comes to travel.

Keep Mobile has been in operation since 1992 and is run by a management committee made up of wheelchair users, other disabled people, carers and those with many years’ experience in providing accessible transport. They operate a fleet of accessible mini-buses, all of which have adaptable seating arrangements to suit varying needs and are equipped with passenger lifts. For further information, please visit Keep Mobile’s website.

Shinfield Voluntary Car Service is an alternative service that provides transport for local people, who have difficulty coping with public transport, to access doctors, dentists, some hospital appointments, shopping trips and social journeys within the area. Please see Shinfield Voluntary Car Service’s website for further information.