Have your say on pay-and-display around the hospital...

A council consultation is now running on the plans from Labour councillors to introduce a large pay-and-display and residents’ parking scheme around the hospital. This consultation is your opportunity to respond to the Council and register your views.

We have concerns about this scheme – plans of which can be found overleaf and more detailed plans online here: http://www.reading.gov.uk/redlands-parking-consultation

Our main concern is that it will displace parking to other areas around its edge (e.g. east of Alexandra Road, Avebury Square and Whitby Drive). We think most of this scheme should be paused now, so it can be improved for all residents in Redlands.

Comments can be sent by email to highway.objections@reading.gov.uk quoting ref: CA/4562 and CA/4748 . Transport Planner Jim Chen can answer any questions on 0118 9372198. Alternatively you can write to:

C J Brooks, Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU

The consultation ends on June 9^th and the results will go to a future Traffic Committee which will decide to go ahead or not. Email us if you would like to be kept updated.

We will keep working with residents for fair and sustainable transport solutions.

UPDATE: a public meeting on this issue has been organised by a resident concerned about the impact of this scheme for Monday, June 6, 6 PM until 8 PM at St Luke’s Church. Everyone welcome.

Getting the Green Road recreation site into use

I have been doing a bit more digging around on plans to bring the old Green Road tennis courts back into use for football and hockey. See below for some questions from me (based on what residents have been asking me) and summarised answers from the council. What do people think about the best way to forward from here?

Q. Why football and hockey?

A. Because that is what the schools and other users want.

Q. What about having some tennis courts there?

A. See above. Having spoken to colleagues in Leisure they advise that for tennis the nearest RBC provision is at Cintra Park, where a new free court is available, and the University also has tennis facilities presumably for hire to the public.

Q. What is happening with the access to the playing fields promised years ago?

A. Recent discussions with colleagues in planning will result in us engaging Taylor Wimpey with a view to creating a link path from the Regis Rd Flats along the eastern boundary of the playing field. You will recall there was a section 106 requirement upon them to do so. School use of the field will require management by the user schools to ensure safeguarding , but it is better than making a new opening to the Wokingham Rd. They have been consulted on the proposal.

Q. Will a council officer meet with residents to discuss this issue further?

A. No