This week there is a bit of a bumper crop of news and information to share.
Firstly, the new Reading Buses Leopard service kicked off on Monday. Whilst there have been a couple of issues we have heard about with regards to fares not being correct, in general the new service seems to be going down well. Having taken a trip into Reading on the new service the buses certainly are more attractive than the old 144 buses, but we shall see over the coming weeks how the new provider performs. As the new development starts to be built, a key part of the plan from both the developers and Wokingham Borough to try and stop the whole area grinding to a traffic choked halt is to get many more of us residents out of our cars onto buses. Whilst these new buses are attractive, it still takes an hour to get to central Reading, so we are doubtful that the developers can achieve the kind of spectacular switch to public transport they are hoping for. However Reading Buses seem keen to make a good impression, so if you have any problems, or want more information they can be contacted directly on 0118 959 4000 or through their website.
Looking at other road issues we have heard via Gary Cowan that as part of the ongoing work towards the Arborfield Bypass/Relief Road the initial line of route B is due to be marked out by a line of posts across the fields to the west of the village. The posts will represent the centre line of the current proposed alignment and will be used to guide a technical walkover comprising councillors, land owners, council officers and the engineering design team over the coming weeks. The posts do not represent the final alignment of the road, but will be used to inform discussion about what the impacts of the route will be.
After his commitment to try to return a post office to Arborfield, following the sudden “temporary” closure of the only remaining post office by the Ministry of Defence last year, Gary also let us know that the Arborfield Shop has now been sold to new owners who will move in sometime in July, and he is hopeful that the new owners will reinstate a post office.
Further down the A327, Hampshire County Council are currently consulting on their proposed improvements at the junction with the A30. As you may know, the junction is currently the second highest ranked accident blackspot in the whole of Hampshire, with an ongoing catalogue of serious accidents over the years, as such Hampshire County Council has managed to obtain Government funding to replace the current staggered crossroads with a roundabout. Sadly the funding is not enough to totally sort the junction out, so there is a planned phase two to connect in the fourth exit off the roundabout. Until that is completed traffic for Fleet will be sent up and around the Blackbushe roundabout, however despite this the proposed work should sort out a lot of the problems and hopefully alleviate some of the delays. The replacement of this junction, and provision of bypasses for Arborfield and Shinfield increasingly highlights the main remaining problem area along the length of the road, being the stretch along the Street in Eversley and Reading Road in Finchampstead, and we will continue to press for meaningful action on this stretch too. To view detailed plans of the proposed work, which is due to commence at the end of the summer and be completed by March 2015, and to submit comments please go to the Hampshire County Council web site and fill in their quick survey form on the improvements.
Wokingham Borough Council finally seems to be making some visible progress towards opening a secondary school in the area for September 2016. As mentioned previously we have commitments from a number of high ranking councillors and council officers that they are focused on finally making a school for the south of Wokingham a reality after decades of trying. Brian Grady, the Head of Strategic Commissioning is organising a parental reference group that will provide the main parental input into the design and planning process for the school. Currently Wokingham Borough Council are going for evening meetings, however they are open to holding sessions at other times of the day for parents who are unable to make the evening meetings, so if you are keen to be involved but can’t make the times, please contact Brian. The current proposed dates, times and locations are as follows:
30th June 7.30pm – WBC Shute End, David Hicks Room
21st July 7:30pm – WBC Shute End, David Hicks Room
18th August 7:30pm – WBC Shute End, LGF4
15th September 7:30pm – WBC Shute End, David Hicks Room
20th October 7:30 – WBC Shute End, LGF4
17th November 7:30 – WBC Shute End, David Hicks Room
15th December 7:30 – WBC Shute End, David Hicks Room
All are welcome to participate in the group as Wokingham are keen to get the views of as many parents and interested parties as possible. If you wish to take part, please contact Brian directly via e-mail to Brian.Grady@wokingham.gov.uk.
