THERE ARE just a few days left to respond to a consultation on a borough-wide residents’ parking permit scheme.
One local community group fears that the new scheme will hit their members hard, making it impossible for them to continue operating.
Last year Wokingham borough council consulted on changes to how the resident parking permit scheme works in Wokingham borough.
The new policy was approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive on November 20, 2025.
The consultation now is about where and how the new policy will be applied.
Resident permit bays on Ormonde Road will become 24/7 days-a-week residents-only parking zones.
Ron Baillie, Men’s Shed chair explained how the scheme will affect the group if implemented.
With around 45 members, the club is a valuable social woodwork group for retired men.
“It gets us all out of the armchair, making friends, and enjoying time together making things,” said Ron.
“Making projects for charity is just a byproduct of the group.
“Men’s Shed is about much more than that.
“It’s about friendship, companionship and wellbeing.”
Many of the group’s members can’t walk long distances, especially if carrying wood or equipment, so they travel to the shed by car, currently parking in Ormonde Road and Latimer Road.
The nearest paying car park is at Wokingham Station.
“But our guys can’t possibly walk from the station,” said Ron.
“We’ll immediately have people coming less often, or leaving altogether, if the scheme goes ahead.”
Currently the club, which meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm has no problems parking during hours when the residents of Ormonde Road and Latimer Road are at work.
Men’s Shed is not the only group that will be affected by the new parking rules.
Ormonde Road allotment users, Wokingham Horticultural Association whose trading store is at the end of Ormonde Road, and people who use the playing field, will also be impacted.
We asked Ron what would make life easier for Men’s Shed if the parking rules are implemented.
He has four suggestions:
1 A hard standing parking area could be built next to Men’s Shed.
2 A similar hard standing could be built on the Ormonde Road side of the field.
3 Parking permits could be issued to community groups, including Men’s Shed, allowing them to park between 10am and 4pm.
4 The parking limitation period could be relaxed from 2 hours to 6 hours.
“I wish we’d known about this sooner,” said Ron.
“We read about it in the newspapers.
“We’re grateful that councillor Rachel Bishop Firth contacted us to ask us how we were feeling about the consultation.
“I hope the council will consider Men’s Shed and the other local groups when they make their final decision on parking.
“As it currently stands, the scheme will seriously hamper our club.
“It took 18 months to find our current home, and we’re grateful to Wokingham Borough Council for helping us to locate it.
“But if our members can no longer park nearby, we’ll be forced to move.
We hope that the council will again help us if that is the situation.”
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation is in place to allow residents and others to raise any concerns that they believe may not have already been considered.
To raise concerns about the parking scheme consultation, (by Thursday this week, February 12), people should visit: engage.wokingham.gov.uk (search for Traffic Management/Consultations/Amendment 4)
