Reading Council confirms free road closures for Big Lunch street parties #rdguk

Green councillor Jamie Whitham asked if the Council was going to be doing free road closures for Big Lunch street parties again this year. Question and answer below. In brief yes. Link at the bottom for application details.

QUESTION NO. 4 in accordance with Standing Order No.10

Councillor Whitham to ask the Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport

Road Closures for Street Parties

Building local community spirit and strength is important to the Green Party. In previous years the Council has been able to offer free road closures to residents to help them organise street parties in the summer. This has brought people together over food and games and been really positive for Reading. Will the Council commit to keeping this initiative going and offering free road closures for street parties this summer?

REPLY by Councillor Page (Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport):

I made it clear last year that for those events which are promoted nationally to a set date, such as the “Big Lunch”, the Council is able to facilitate all road closures through one public notice. It is cost effective and is an important contribution by the Council towards strengthening local communities.

The Council will once again support all those wishing to hold a Street Party to celebrate this year’s Big Lunch initiative.  We will cover the cost of the legal notice as long as the approved party takes place on the weekend of the Big Lunch (1^st June).

The procedure will be the same as in previous years, where we will require the organisers to complete the relevant paperwork and receive permission from at least 50% of the residents in the street before the application will be considered. Once we have received the paperwork we will then advise on whether the application has been successful.

Application forms and guidance notes have already been sent to anyone who has contacted us regarding the possibility of holding a Street Party for the Big Lunch this year.

The RBC website has also been up-dated with information and a downloadable application form, which can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.reading.gov.uk/leisureandvisitors/eventsandfestivals/street-parties/

Kennet Side by the Fishermans Cottage to be closed again #rdguk

Unfortunately the Kennet Side is to be closed again. It seems like only yesterday when it was closed for the extensive works. I'm trying to find out a bit more about what is going on and if this is planned or if something went wrong with the previous extensive works.

"On Monday 10^th March 2014 Reading Borough Council will begin ground investigation works along a section of the Kennet Side path between Arthur Place and Fisherman's Cottage Public House. These works are part of an ongoing programme of monitoring and maintenance works we have been carrying out on the retaining wall in recent years. The investigation will assist us in the planning of minor repairs and the preparation for possible replacement of a section of the retaining wall.

The ground investigation will be carried out by CC Ground Investigations Ltd. and will be supervised by Peter Brett Associates. The investigations are expected to last two weeks and the working hours will be 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. No work will take place at the weekend.

Whilst the ground investigation work is being carried out it will be necessary to close the Kennet Side footway between 4-8 Arthur Place and 308 Kennet Side. The closure will be in operation 24 hours a day Monday to Friday; however the footway will be reopened at the weekend. A signed diversion will be in place to direct pedestrian and cycle traffic around the closure.

Due to the nature of the works a certain amount of noise in unavoidable, however please be assured that every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum

Letters will be delivered to residents between King’s Bridge and Wearside Court at the end of this week to let them know that the work is taking place. Copies of the letter and distribution area are attached. We will also be erecting advance notices boards on site.

Please be aware that Southern Gas Networks (SGN) were due to commence a gas main replacement scheme on Kennet Side this week. However this has now been postponed."

Palmer Park Drive lights broken #rdguk

As some of you may have noticed, the lights from the Wokingham Road to Palmer Park stadium are currently out. We have been chasing this. The latest update is below. Unfortunately this looks like it might take a while.

"As requested I have chased up the light column repairs for Palmer Park driveway and have been given the response below. It would appear that they will be attending this month but there is no guarantee that they will be able to fix the fault. This is to do with the four columns which have been knocked down in the main car park which is dictating where we can draw power for the columns on the driveway. These are in the process of being replaced but there is currently no timetable for this. I will try and find out what plans are in place to deal with this issue."