The 'Battle-bus' tour of Wokingham Borough

8.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Apr 2008

(Market Place, Wokingham)

An old London bus acted as a mobile billboard, driven around and about the borough of Wokingham. Those who saw it were reminded about what's wrong with the borough, and what Lib-Dems would do to fix it:

• School buildings crumbling through lack of maintenance and capital investment;

• Secrecy at the Borough Council;

• Lack of consultation;

• Over-development and congestion;

• The threat to Elms Field in Wokingham Town;

• Empty shops in Wokingham town centre.

Flag-bearers at the start of the procession

All this is relevant to 2008 - but the 'battle-bus' tour occurred in 2007. A phone-call on April 28th established that an iconic Routemaster bus was available for hire, and it toured the streets the next day - Sunday April 29th. Purely by chance, many thousands got to see it when the bus was parked for a lunch stop in Rose Street, next to the Methodist Church. Traffic was stopped, and in the distance, a brass band was heard. It was a St. George's Day parade by local Scouts and Cubs.

St. Sebastian's Band

The St. Sebastian's Band, as usual, were magnificent.

John Redwood gets the message

John Redwood got the message. His party has destroyed democracy at the Borough Council. Key decisions are made in secret, and then imposed on the people without any chance of debate or scrutiny.

Watch where you're going...

Because of this secrecy, Lib-Dems have been forced to use the Freedom of Information Act to find out exactly what was planned for the Emmbrook School, Elms Field and many other topics.

Which foot's next?

No wonder John was put off his stride.

Town Councillors

Not to mention the Town Councillors… Rose Street Methodist Church had played its part in the Piazza redevelopment, and its fine new extension is in full use, yet the Piazza scheme has been dragging on for over 10 years with no sign of resolution. Several of the Town Councillors also represent the Borough Council. Why such mis-management by the Borough Council's leadership?

Thousands passed the bus in Rose Street

Several minutes later, the Scouts and Cubs were still parading past. People walking on the pavement were able to read the Lib-Dem Manifesto, which was pasted onto a white display board. You can read this year's Manifesto directly from this web-site.

Church Road, Earley

Here's the bus at Church Road, Earley. It also stopped at Shepherd's Hill on the A4, and at ASDA. Tory-controlled Earley Town Council has been criticised by the District Auditor for gross mis-management of its finances. Reserves have been plundered, and are far below the minimum level expected for prudent accounting.

Bulmershe College

In Woodley, the bus was seen in Headley Road and at Bulmershe College. Lib-Dem controlled Woodley Town Council provides financial support for the swimming pool and leisure facilities. Residents of Wokingham Town and Earley Town get their leisure facilities paid-for by the Borough Council. Why the discrimination against Woodley?

Steve Bacon and Dee Tomlin at Twyford

The bus stopped in Twyford, causing much excitement among passers-by, who took photographs. Seen here are Steve Bacon and Councillor Dee Tomlin.

Winnersh Ward Councillors Prue Bray and Malcolm Armstrong at King Street Lane

Another stop was in King Street Lane, Winnersh, where Councillors Prue Bray and Malcolm Armstrong climbed on board for a trip around Sindlesham. The bus also visited Dinton Pastures.

Elms Field - will the park be submerged under shops and offices?

The bus posed outside Elms Field, scene of much controversy. Those who signed-up to the 'e-petition' have now had a reply from 10 Downing Street: "If Wokingham Borough Council receive a planning application and then resolve to permit the application, they will be obliged to refer it to the Government Office for the South East under the Departures Directions (Circular 07/99). The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will assess whether to call-in the application for consideration at a public inquiry in accordance with the normal criteria." The battle's not over yet!

Steve Bacon near Norreys Barn P.H.

Steve Bacon, pictured here at Norreys Barn in Ashridge Road, was candidate for Norreys Ward in 2007. He came second and increased the Lib-Dem share of the vote, so that it is now the only party with a chance to defeat the Tories here. Back in the 1990's, Steve used to drive all three of the Wokingham Playbuses to Woosehill, Barkham and Evendons, but on this occasion he was a passenger.

Jeremy Harley, candidate for Evendons, near the 'Leathern Bottel' P.H.

Talking of Evendons, the bus also climbed Barkham Road, pausing at the Leathern Bottel P.H. where many people were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. Here's Jeremy Harley, Lib-Dem candidate for Evendons in 2008.

Jeremy Harley, Dee Tomlin and David Hare at the Council Offices at Shute End

Finally, the bus reached Shute End, where it was photographed with Jeremy Harley, Dee Tomlin and David Hare. David represented Hillside for many years, and is Lib-Dem candidate there in the 2008 election. He has immense knowledge about Social Services, and is dismayed that Wokingham Borough's adult Social Service provision is now so poor that it has now sunk to the bottom 10 in the whole country.

To see the Lib-Dem manifesto, click on the link below:

Related Link:

Lib-Dem 2008 Manifesto for Wokingham Borough Council.