OPEN for business – or open to problems?

That was the dilemma this week as the overdue £3.8m project to revamp Wokingham’s town centre was officially opened, although work still needs to be completed ahead of the finish date of August 31.

But a number of people have contacted The Wokingham Paper complaining that the new look paving is a trip hazard and that the town “looks bland”.

To make matters worse, a driver made a ‘doughnut’ in the new market square overnight on Monday into Tuesday. These are skid marks left by tyres when driving in a circular motion.

And a fire engine responding to an emergency was seen driving through the new market area as a result of the Broad Street closure.

John Pape, 75, was one of the people who was injured by the new layout. He contacted The Wokingham Paper after being badly bruised when he fell while crossing near the HSBC building.

The retired firefighter said: “They might need to station an ambulance at that spot.

“I was crossing around 10am on Tuesday and went flying. People came to help me and one woman said she’d seen nearly a dozen people take a fall like me.

“The problem is the raised kerb is not clearly marked. I consider myself quite robust but if an elderly person fell as I did, it could be very serious.

“The council should do a case study to see how dangerous this kerb is. They may need to install a sign warning of a trip hazard but I doubt they will be interested.

“The town centre revamp is their flagship project so they might not want to admit it is a hazard.

“Apart from that danger, I’m not happy with the changes. I’ve lived in the town for over 60 years and it just doesn’t look or feel like Wokingham.”

Another reader who did not want to be named, also felt the work had not “lived up to the hype”.

They said: “I took a walk round on Monday and people were warning me to look out for trip hazards. I thought it was because the workmen were still sorting out last minute issues, but a woman said she meant the design of the paving and the kerb.

“I’m glad she pointed it out as I might have become another casualty. I am proud of Wokingham want to see it look its best. However, the finished design seems a bit bland. It could be anywhere in the country and all that white paving will be difficult to keep clean.”
Another reader, in a letter published in today’s paper, revealed that she had been helped by a shop worker after she tripped in the new look town centre.

Lesley Dow said: “I tripped and fell heavily on the new paving in Market Place on Friday. When I was still laying face down on the pavement, a man cushioned my head with the parcel he was carrying as no-one wanted me to move before the ambulance arrived in case of further injury.”

Cllr Philip Mirfin, the executive member in charge of regeneration project for Wokingham Borough Council, said that ongoing safety checks would be carried out.

“Over the weekend we were pleased to open Market Place. During the next week we will be carrying out the usual routine checks and audits to make sure everything complies with safety standards. We’ll also be completing the snagging list,” he said.

Liberal Democrat Emmbrook councillor Imogen Shepherd DuBey had mixed feelings about the project.

She said: “I have some serious concerns about the loading bays and provision for disabled parking.

“The sites are not clearly marked out and the driver’s door opens onto the road. The raised kerb is also causing a lot of concern and I just hope people get used to it in time.

“Was it worth the wait? All I can say is it is very expensive and five months late and we don’t yet know what the final cost will be.

“I know something had to be done to the town centre. I want to be optimistic but I don’t think they quite got it right.”

And Labour councillor in Norreys, Cllr Rachel Burgess, said: “The Market Place, already five months behind, was still not finished by the revised 19th August deadline. While delays can be unavoidable the Conservatives have given scant regard to the real needs of our more vulnerable people during these long, drawn-out works.

“While most users of the town have become sick and tired of trying to navigate it over the last year, it is people with disabilities and those who are more vulnerable who have really received a raw deal.

“Some disabled residents have felt unsafe going into the town centre for months now, even for essential items such as collecting their prescriptions.  Is it any wonder, when they have had to take long diversions to find dropped kerbs or ramps, attempt tight corners or narrow, uneven paths in mobility scooters, or even use the roadway to get around as they cannot properly access the pavement?

“I have repeatedly highlighted these issues, yet the Conservative Executive Member responsible for the regeneration has seemed entirely in denial about the problem throughout, stating that the town centre has remained “fully accessible” during the works, and claiming that any issues were “minute”!

“Now that the Market Place works are finally coming to an end, the Council must ensure that accessibility issues remain a priority while the Peach Place and Elms Field projects continue.”

Cllr Mirfin defended the council’s position.

He said: “As you would expect with a new scheme, we consulted different user groups. The pathways are designed to be safer for all residents and they include delineated markings at crossings, for anyone who is visually impaired. We have had great feedback already from mobility-impaired users and other residents.

“We understand there have been three reported incidents to Wokingham Borough Council, regarding trips since Market Place re-opened at the weekend. One of these related to the resident who stepped off the low kerb near Boots, and he contacted us on Tuesday.

“We would remind shoppers and pedestrians, and drivers that the new footways are part of the new design, and to be mindful when familiarising yourself, and to apply caution, initially. Use the pathways when crossing from one side of the street to the other, rather than stepping down into the road.

“As with all schemes we will continue to monitor how it embeds, and we will always investigate any hazard which may be an issue for our residents.”

What do you think? Have you been caught out by the new curbs? Send your views to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

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