Vastly different approaches to making it easier for commuters to reach Twyford Station have been suggested by officials in Wokingham.
Twyford is the main gateway for people in Wokingham to take faster trains to London Paddington rather than the slower services from Wokingham to Waterloo.
The improvements in frequency and connectivity with the opening of the Elizabeth Line, coupled with the growth of new housing around Wokingham has massively increased demand for parking spaces around Twyford.
In the last year, there have been improvements to the bus service and bus stops south of the station, a small amount of extra on-street parking has been approved, together with resident parking zones all around the station.
Wokingham Borough Council Conservatives attempted to solve the problem between 2013 and 2022, but despite their best efforts, an adequate solution escaped them and the problem is now in the hands of the current Lib Dem authority.
The current car park, if it has a space, already costs £9.90 per day.
It’s not a new issue and cllr Adrian Betteridge, the current executive member for active transport and a keen cyclist, is said to have been ‘really focusing on this and trying to bring all parties together’ to find an acceptable solution.
One Twyford mum and salsa dancer, who lives close to the station, wasn’t convinced that bicycle racks would solve the problem.
She said: “The parking along Hurst Road is a menace due to the station.
“We don’t want the parking banned, as they’ll park in our streets.
“They need to build parking at the station.”
An AI specialist, living to the south of the station, said: “Completion of the all-weather path to Charvil and Woodley alongside the railway would significantly help commuters, on bike or on foot.
“Frequent direct bus services to north Wokingham via Hurst might also help, especially if the cost is significantly lower than the parking and the frequency makes it actually possible to London commuters to use who already have an hour on the train each way to contend with, so do not find the existing infrequent and circuitous bus route compelling.”
At Wokingham Borough Council’s meeting on Thursday, January 22, cllr’s Sam Aktar and Peter Harper opened the debate with a motion attempting to tie the administration into delivering results for the people of Twyford.
Cllr Harper said: “Whilst it is great to encourage those who live close to Twyford station to walk or cycle, it is impractical to try to make this the main way to get to the station.
“Residents in the south of the borough would take over an hour to pedal to the station, arriving hot and sweaty before their commute and a day at work, not to mention the long cycle home in the dark and wet.”
Executive member cllr Betteridge (Lib Dem) confirmed that a lot more is needed and amended the Conservative motion – to emphasise everything the council was already doing.
He said: “We have been busy. It’s important that we achieve rapid progress. We have met with GWR and the local landowner and identified a range of car parking options for assessment.”
“We do not need to develop a business case for every viable car parking solution – only those that are preferred after appropriate assessment.
“The work needs to be comprehensive but also deliverable. Delivery is dependent on agreeing appropriate sources of funding. I’m happy that a working group be established to support this work.”
But cllr Betteridge also focused on his priorities.
He said: “Delivery must consider bus, walking and cycling options as well as car parking.”
He promised to report back to the council by May of this year.
