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With all of the millions that the Wokingham Borough Council is spending on Wokingham Town Centre regeneration, there is one important group that seems to be being overlooked.
That is bus users, especially those with mobility problems. The bus stops on Broad Street are central to the town and are a vital service for accessing local services, such as the doctor’s surgery on Rose Street, local banks and shops.
The kerbs in Broad Street are well below the national standard and are largely only one or two inches tall. This makes the step up into the bus quite high, even when the bus is ‘kneeling’ and many of our less able passengers find that step very high, especially when they are carrying shopping.
With wheelchair users it is possible to deploy a ramp, but that is quite steep, it takes time to operate and it causes a significant delay to the bus departure.
If the kerbs were raised to meet the bus, wheelchair users could roll right onto the bus with everyone else along with prams, shopping trolleys and people with heavy suitcases and it could be done quickly and without a fuss or any special treatment for anyone.
These raised kerbs are being deployed everywhere to meet this need, except in our Town Centre bus stops.
I was told in the Executive last week by Cllr Chris Bowring, the Wokingham Borough Council executive member for highways, that to raise the kerbs in Broad Street would be physically impossible.
This is because of the entrance thresholds into the properties are quite low and drainage would be a problem.
I disagree – difficult, yes – impossible, no – this is a ROAD we are talking about. If we can send people to the moon are we suggesting this could never be sorted out on Broad Street?
If our Council is serious about complying with its Equality Duty and meeting the obligations of the Equality Act, it needs people who can think through these problems and make it work for all of our community and it should not be overlooked when we are spending so much money on regenerating the Town Centre.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Emmbrook Ward
Welcome to 1970s Bracknell
The Wokingham Borough Summer 2017 magazine promises “high standard … materials reflecting the town’s existing architecture”.
Noting the complete contempt by the council of the unique architectural heritage of the town hall area in WBC’s clashing modernist refurbishment of the dominating Rose Street corner building opposite, there can be no confidence that the council will preserve and enhance the best architectural uniqueness of Wokingham instead of recreating a 1970s Bracknell while Bracknell moves on.
We have a bland unadorned lift shaft dominated anytown railway station with a disgraceful crude tacky new industrial estate car park, an anytown new cube carnival pool car park dominated by an unadorned lift shaft.
Plans show as “gateway to Wokingham” an anytown bog standard Premier Inn dominated by an unadorned lift shaft and a bog standard anytown Aldi, overlooking what’s left of Elms Field. Maybe a box lift shaft should be incorporated into the town’s coat of arms.
Having rejected the concept of making Wokingham a unique attraction and place to live as a quality heritage architecture town the borough doesn’t even seem interested in enforcing conservation area visual planning rules to stop the tacky and clashing shop front trend in declining Denmark Street.
Will WBC prove the above wrong by forcing Premier Inn, Aldi and others to ditch the designs they use everywhere else and substitute award-winning heritage architectural compatibility?
I suggest zero chance but place your bets.
P Williams, via email
12 years on … housing numbers
On the 2nd of September in 2005 (12 years ago) when I was the Exec member responsible for planning I made the following statement in the local press.
The Government will foist housing numbers on us and there is no doubt that there is a need for some, including affordable houses but this must be set against proper infrastructure including roads, schools, hospitals, dentists, medical practices, green waste services and even cemeteries etc.
Our countryside environment also needs to be protected and new development needs to be of good design and in keeping with its surroundings.
It’s a tall order but at least the Conservatives will give it their best shot and not just take the easy way out and walk away from its responsibilities to our residents.
Moving on 12 years I wonder what has changed as I kept that promise of putting residents first and foremost.
It seems to me now that the current Conservative policy is not just secrecy but secrecy without consultation a plan to build as many houses as possible with no thought to Greenfields or if one can get away with it then the Greenbelt.
The Conservative Administration now talks openly of consultation but I wonder if that’s genuine or just the usual smoke and mirrors or is there a change of direction now next May’s elections are on the horizon.
Having kicked the opposition of all Housing Working Groups in the council many months ago how sincere should the talk of openness be taken?
Should residents trust this Conservative administration who have done exactly the opposite by secretly changed direction on housing numbers, the Grazeley 15,000 and offering to help our neighbours build their excess housing in Wokingham.
Do leopards change their spots I wonder?
I will watch this space with considerable interest.
Cllr Gary Cowan, Independent Borough Councillor for Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council
Intolerable Post Office closure
A number of months ago the Post Office consulted about the transfer of Twyford Post Office from Day Lewis Chemists in London Road, Twyford where it had been located for many years to Bargain Booze located next door to Day Lewis Chemists. The proposal included extended opening times and other features and was clearly a commercial decision.
A number of concerns were raised by residents, but the decision was made to relocate the Post Office next door.
It is extremely disappointing to find that when the old Post Office in Day Lewis closed on Saturday 22nd July, the new Post Office in Bargain Booze was not available and has still not opened due to the non delivery/provision of cable links and other facilities.
When I visited Bargain Booze, I saw several engineers working and the staff advised me that 1pm on Wednesday, August 2 as the time that has been given as a provisional opening date.
It is totally unacceptable for there to be a near two-week gap (and may be more) between the closure of the old post office in the Day Lewis Chemists and the new one. It is unfortunate that the facilities were not completed on time to ensure a smooth transfer. In addition it is somewhat annoying that the old Post Office was not kept open (pro-tem) until the new one was available.
This does not bode well. A number of residents have contacted me about this problem. It means that residents and businesses in Twyford have been without a Post Office which has caused annoyance and inconvenience.
I am sure there must be someone in The Post Office area that is responsible for ensuring an efficient and timely hand over. This has clearly not happened here.
Cllr Lindsay Ferris,
Wokingham Borough Councillor for Twyford
Mental health funding
I refer to the letter: ‘Under 16s Need Our Help’: (The Wokingham Paper, July 27) Paul Farmer and I are united, not divided. We both want better mental health services. The difference is in how we believe this to be achieved.
Paul thinks that a lot more money – and, consequently, a lot more paid, professional, services, are the answer. I think that the answer is self-help!
For instance, we have a member, whose mother, when he was a child of 12, was murdered by a paedophile who was abusing his young sister.
His mother was murdered because she threatened to report the paedophile to the authorities. We are not saying that this was not diabolical. What we have said to him, is that all the social workers and counsellors in the world, cannot un-murder his mother!
He will be traumatised by it all his life, and all that he can do is get up and make the best of it. He has done so, and so has the former child-abuse victim, but it is SHE who is making such a success of her adult life – not cohorts of social workers!
The first ‘professional’ social work course in the world was instituted at the London School of Economics in the 1930’s, so the human race had been getting by without them for quite a long time! This is not the case with the genuine professions. The ancient Greeks, for instance, most certainly had doctors, teachers, and lawyers!
After the long line of failed child-protection fiascos – ranging from Maria Colwell – to Baby P. – and beyond – people have ceased to regard social work as a profession. Your readers will notice that when public sector pay is being debated, teachers, nurses, police, and fire officers – are all considered. Social workers are never mentioned. They are not regarded as public servants, and society doesn’t want them.
Paul Farmer wants them to be given more financial resources, and then, hopefully to improve. I do not. I want to see them abolished, and society’s welfare to be restored to where it has been throughout history – with volunteers in charities and religious organisations.
The principle of being able to talk with someone about what is distressing you – is always sound. The Roman Catholic Church has known this for the past 2,000 years! But one does not need to talk to a paid counsellor. A Samaritan volunteer does the job admirably. Furthermore, social work – sitting around, talking, and writing reports on you, is not what you need. Most people need practical help.
Our Association has only ever wanted money to pay the bills on our premises, and to provide practical welfare for individuals. We always have banned, and always will ban, paid professionals, and we are totally committed to the principles of self-help and voluntary service.
Pam Jenkinson, Wokingham Crisis House
Farrage must lead Brexit talks
I continually moan about the quality and incompetence of management in this country, especially nowadays’ additional nationwide disease – the lack of ability of politicians.
That being said, where we have good management, we can be the best worldwide, as also are our technology and engineering capabilities. The national problem is that, as is so patently obvious in negotiations with Brussels, all those involved are incapable of even knowing where to start – or how to be firm but fair!
Apart from the logical appointment of Nigel Farrage to lead Brexit, we may as well give up now. Brussels can make life very difficult, with one aim in mind – to keep the money flowing from us into their coffers.
We either negotiate a Trade Agreement NOW, or revert to the status quo. All other national interests are secondary to the “legal” status of the UK, and will be so much easier to sort out when the Trade relationship firmly re-establishes our sovereignty.
In the meantime, taking the corruptly engineered result of the recent Election into account, we must have another Election soon, plus a new PM (I like Theresa May, but being a nice person, she does not have the iron will of a Maggie), together with a reasonable overall majority in Parliament.
For which Party? I leave readers to speculate, but may assume the Tories, if they sort out “personnel”.
They also need the guts to review national expenditure such as the appalling foreign aid waste, salaries of civil and “uncivil” servants, postpone the HS2 until we have in place a much better road transport infrastructure, and so on.
Remember – there is a vast amount of money in this country, which as in the BBC is directed to a few people, and in fact could meet NHS funding requirements, realistic pay for our Nurses and deserving NHS staff, Emergency Services and so on. In my simplistic view, no-one in the public sector should be paid more than the PM!
It’s hard to believe we the taxpayers, are paying over £800,000 p.a. to an unelected individual for the HS2 Project, that has not yet even started! Who are his “mates” in Parliament or the Civil Service? (Plus special Pension??)
A civilised society in the competitive world of today, cannot survive running such a “jobs for the boys” system, nor an Upper House of creeps and mates of the likes of Cameron or Clegg.
But, if “they” upgrade me to the Upper House, I will become a supporter of all their benefits and cost to the Nation!
I promise to clock in daily to get my £300, add my expenses, and not say anything.
Reg Clifton, via email
Asthma sufferers invited to take part in new health study
I am writing to let you know that people in your area with asthma are being invited to take part in an innovative new digital health project pilot that aims to reduce their risk of suffering asthma attacks.
Asthma UK’s 12-Week Asthma Support Programme, funded by a Department of Health Innovation Challenge Fund grant, will provide people with asthma with remote and virtual support from a team of specialist asthma nurses and psychologists who specialise in behavioural change, to reduce their chance of having an asthma attack.
Upon signing up for the pilot, people with asthma will receive personalised digital support that is easily and conveniently available to them wherever they are, via their smartphones.
The initial pilot will involve 30 people with asthma who have had an asthma attack in the last year, are aged between 18-67, live in England and have a smartphone.
After the initial pilot, a further 320 people will be recruited to join a second phase of the pilot inform recruited from autumn 2017.
The impact of the pilot in improving asthma control and reducing the risk of asthma attacks among people with asthma will then be evaluated.
Anyone who is interested in taking part in the 12-Week Asthma Support Programme pilot can find out more and sign up at www.asthma.org.uk/asthma-support-programme
Michael Clarke,
Director of Advice and Content
Asthma UK
Promises, promises
I feel compelled to respond to Clive Jones’ bizarre letter in your paper regarding tuition fees, given that we are both Borough councillors.
He rather strangely claims that “Conservatives trebled them and blamed the Lib Dems”. I think Cllr Jones has missed a memo somewhere.
When fees were increased in 2010, more Lib Dem MPs voted for the increase than against. That includes current Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, who was then the Cabinet Minister responsible for – you guessed it – universities.
Since tuition fees were increased, there are more university students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds than ever before.
Despite this, Jeremy Corbyn not only pledged to scrap tuition fees but also to “deal with” student debt – only to backtrack after the election, admitting that he had no idea that it would cost an eye-watering £100billion.
This rather reminds me of former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg’s apology for breaking his promise not to increase tuition fees: “We should not have made a promise we were not absolutely sure we could deliver”.
There are, I’m certain, many students, aspiring students, and former students who voted for Labour in this year’s election who now feel incredibly let down.
However, I imagine young people felt the same when the Lib Dems went back on their promise on tuition fees. The words “glass houses” and “stone throwing” spring to mind.
After all, as Mr Clegg put it: “We made a pledge, we did not stick to it, and for that I am sorry… When we are wrong we hold our hands up.”
A lesson for both Mr Corbyn, and based on his letter, Cllr Jones as well.
Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor
Leader of Wokingham Borough Council
Blaney’s view
So, Wokingham Borough Council, in the form of Cllr Chris Bowring, reckons that “significant additional pressure has not yet been applied to the borough’s road network” (The Wokingham Paper, July 27).
Proof, if proof was needed, of his, and the council’s ignorance of what is going on around them.
Tell that to frustrated motorists as hey sit in the ubiquitous traffic jams in the town centre 
and throughout surrounding areas, aggravated further by work now being carried out in connection with new cycle lane programmes and closure of Denmark Street, causing delays, inconvenience and adding to air pollution.
Traffic signal signs, barriers and cones – the latter of which seemingly have the ability to reproduce themselves more rapidly than even the most enthusiastic of rabbits – appear in regular abundance.
All this because the council doggedly refuses to heed numerous warnings, continues to prioritise housing ahead of infrastructure and blunders onwards with poorly planned regeneration.
In the words of Cllr Haitham Taylor, “What planet are you living on?”
Get a grip Wokingham Borough Council, drop the arrogant “we know best” attitude, listen to what you are being told, get on with what you are more than generously being rewarded to do and start putting the interests of the borough and its residents ahead of your own.
J W Blaney, Wokingham
