There was new hope to solve the parking crisis in Twyford last week after politicians promised to reach across the political divide and brainstorm new solutions.
The possibility for real change in the challenge of helping commuters get to their trains suddenly looked brighter with the creation of an all-party working group to sort it all out.
All parties acknowledge that Twyford suddenly has a fantastic train service to central London, but every part of the supporting infrastructure within Wokingham borough is ‘wholly inadequate’.
Council leader Stephen Conway promised that the group would meet for the first time later this month.
He said: “We’ve been working very hard on it for a long period, and so have councillors from other parties – it’s been a priority since 2013.”
But the members of his group have vastly different priorities from the Conservatives.
Conservatives believe that Wokingham council could be really ambitious with parking and should evaluate parking options beyond GWR or Network Rail jurisdiction.
They think that the council itself could invest in nearby parking outside of station owned land, that this is within their gift, and they could action this immediately.
By contrast Labour and the Liberal Democrats see possibilities for fast buses to arrive at Twyford Station at all hours.
Part of the problem is that full sized bikes cannot be taken on Elizabeth Line services in the rush hour. Another problem is that the railway land – where a carpark would naturally fit – has very difficult access through two bridges under the Henley line.
At a meeting of the rail minister with Wokingham’s MP and Council Highways chief Cllr Adrian Betteridge earlier this month, the railways offered only 50 additional car parking spaces.
Some residents and councillors want buses from Broad Street in the town centre to Twyford all the way through the rush hour, with others saying the service could start from Coppid Beeches park-and-ride near St. Crispin’s during the rush hour.
Others are demanding a fast bus from Woodley to start at 5am and run all the way through to 10pm.
The Labour group has nominated Norreys councillor Nagi Nagella.
His group leader Rachel Burgess said: “Residents need a clear, properly funded plan from the Council that puts sustainable and accessible travel first.
“Nagi will be urging the Council to deliver real improvements to bus services, cycling infrastructure, and safe walking routes.
“Both Woodley and Wokingham urgently require high-quality, direct, and safe connections to Twyford.”
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen (Con) said: “In January, the LibDems committed to creating a cross‑party working group on Twyford Station parking, yet no group has been set up.
“They were asked for an update on this commitment by a resident. The email response from a senior LibDem said, ’If I am honest, I don’t expect this to make a material difference to what we are already working on’.
“Only then were we contacted to provide names of the two Conservative Councillors that would sit on this working group.
“While it appears the LibDems have already decided on their limited course of action, it’s essential that all options to resolve this long‑standing parking issue, for residents and the wider Borough, are fully considered.”
Cllr Adrian Betteridge (Lib Dem), the Executive Councillor for Active Travel, Transport and Highways said: “All parties were invited to nominate their representatives and two dates have been proposed for the meeting this month.
“The meeting will cover commercially sensitive issues and will not be open to the public.”
