February 2024

Works starts on Tanhouse Bridge

Network Rail has started work on a permanent bridge across the Tanhouse crossing, which many residents use to get to the town centre. Your Lib Dem councillors have been campaigning for a single bridge to replace the two dilapidated bridges.

“We will continue to campaign for ramps to be added to the new bridge,” says Councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth.

January 2024

Emmbrook School Flooding

The recent flooding caused local sewers to overflow in the the park next to the Emmbrook schools.

Councillor Imogen Shepherd-DuBey contacted Thames Water after they failed to clear the mess for several days and only then did they respond. Imogen says, “It is not acceptable to leave people, dogs and children walking to school through fields covered in
sewage”.

New double yellow lines to improve safety at Emmbrook Village hall roundabout. 

The extended double yellow lines at Village Close are now in place, making this a safer junction with Emmbrook Road. The proposed extension to the double yellow lines at the Emmbrook Village Hall roundabout should increase safety here, too. “I'm delighted that residents' views have been heard,” said Councillor Morag Malvern."

New play area

Emmbrook Liberal Democrats welcome the opening of the new play area at Paley Park, near the Queen's Road Co-op and St.  Cecilia's School. “I'm delighted to see it being well used already,” said Councillor Imogen Shepherd DuBey. “Seeing children enjoying everything on offer is just what we wanted. There's also a basketball court, and plenty of space for imaginative play to work off  energy. “This is an impressive play area,” continued Imogen, “which I hope will be very much enjoyed for years to come.”

Basit Alvi and the Lib Dem team are taking action against crime:

Local champion Basit Alvi is spearheading the fight against theft and other antisocial behaviour in Emmbrook. “A local business has had two thefts of maintenance machinery, and I’m concerned that despite clear details of the vehicle used being passed to the police, they did not attend,” says Basit. “Residents are also reporting a group of men who are visiting local roads and systematically trying all the car doors. I am working with local residents to get videos and other details to Police and the council’s Anti-Social  Behaviour team, and to push for swift action”. Councillor Morag Malvern has raised these issues directly with the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Jason Hogg, and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber. “It is essential that the police can reassure our residents that action will be taken to prevent and investigate crime in our neighbourhoods,” says Morag. “We have also heard many complaints of people openly shoplifting from some local stores, and I was pleased to hear police assurances that this will be tackled.” 

Help with housing

There is a severe shortage of affordable housing in Wokingham Borough and young people in particular struggle to find homes.

Under the Lib Dems, Wokingham Borough Council is planning to build flats for social rent on a patch of unused urban land on Wellington Road. These flats will he energy efficient and will be available for social rent.

"This is a fantastic use of unused land and will provide homes for local people close to jobs and transport links" says Councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth.

November 2023

Improving traffic management

Residents in Milton Road have been asking for better enforcement of the one-way system on this road for several years. We are very pleased that the council will be taking control of this in September, as part of a package of measures to make our roads safer, more accessible and reduce congestion.

Protecting old age care

“I’m delighted that Wokingham Borough Council has bought the Berkshire Care Home on Barkham Road,” says Councillor Morag
Malvern. “The number of people living with dementia is set to double in the next 20 years.

“The council needs to own and operate our own old age care homes to keep down the cost of helping these residents, and the purchase of this care home will help us to do this.”