The three councillors for Winnersh are all Liberal Democrats.
We supported residents’ requests for yellow lines in Pheasant Close at its junction with Reading Road and in Jersey Drive and Fresian Way that were
introduced last year. Further requests from residents to have restrictions have also been supported on Sadlers Lane at its junction with Reading Road, Lenham Close at its junction with Old Forest Road and Watmore Lane near Greenwood Grove covering school times. These have now been agreed and it is anticipated that they will be put in place by the end of March (weather permitting).
The lighting under the M4 bridge on the A329 Reading Road was upgraded recently following requests from your local councillors as the original lighting was prone to failure and didn’t provide enough light when working.
The new lighting and its associated cabling are more reliable, provide a much-improved illuminated area under the bridge and are more energy efficient. This will be of benefit to all that use this bridge especially pedestrians, cyclists and residents who use mobility scooters.
Active travel route Winnersh to Wokingham Your Lib Dem Borough Council is taking action to introduce a safe “active travel” route along the A329 Reading Road from Sadlers Lane to Wokingham town centre. Consultation on the route is being carried out to hear residents and businesses views. Councillor Paul Fishwick says, “This will create a safe route for cyclists, walkers and cars from the Shinfield Science Park to Wokingham town centre - a distance of over 7 miles.”
FREE bus travel on Reading and Thames Valley buses across the borough on the 6 Saturdays before Christmas. This helped residents who don’t have a car, or can’t afford to run one, to travel to do shopping, for work, visit friends or for leisure. Councillor Prue Bray says, “Not only did this give people a boost before Christmas, it was also good for the environment. It showed people who hadn’t used a bus before, or in a long time, how easy and comfortable it is to travel by bus.”
A new Park & Ride service started in November and will continue every Saturday until at least mid-April, running every 20 minutes. This is thanks to your hard-working Lib Dem led Council ‘s Bus Service Improvement Plan. Councillor Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey says, “This is really good news for residents that we have been able to reinstate this service. I urge everyone to use it: if enough people use it, we can continue the service and extend it to more days.”
Your ward councillors have been calling for a reduction in the speed limit on Old Forest Road for many years and now the hard work has come to fruition!
The new 30mph speed limit came into operation during September, making the residential street safer and more pleasant for residents.
The Country Park at Hatchwood Mill has been adopted by the Borough Council, and your ward councillors Prue Bray, Paul Fishwick and Rachelle Shephard-DuBey asked residents where they felt the most appropriate places were to place the litter andShephard-DuBey dog waste bins, as well as some benches, that are paid for by a small developer fund. The feedback has been very positive, and these will be installed during October.
Your borough ward councillors strongly opposed the proposals by the Rail Delivery Group for the planned closure of station ticket offices including Winnersh and Winnersh Triangle. Staffed ticket offices have an important role in supporting passenger safety and security These ill-thought-out proposals will impact most on the elderly and disabled, who are left with a faceless machine that isn’t always easy to use and doesn’t always provide the most appropriate and cheapest ticket for your journey.
The Borough Council has given subsidised bus routes a funding boost to keep them going until at least 31st August 2026. This includes the 127, 128 and 129 services that operate through Winnersh from Wokingham to Twyford station here it connects with the Elizabeth Line. This funding, also supported by Winnersh Parish Council, will provide certainity to residents and businesses in the area.
Your borough ward councillors led the fight with local residents against the proposed installation of a 15-metre 5G telecom mast on the corner of Mole Road and Bearwood Road in Sindlesham. The Planning Authority agreed with our objections including that it would detract from the visual appearance and character of the Conservation Area, and failed to demonstrate robust reasons on alternative sites.
Our road network is in crisis. Across the country, and also in Wokingham, underfunding from government over more than a decade has left local roads beyond their planned life and vulnerable to serious deterioration.
Firstly I'd like to say a huge thank you to the people of Wokingham who have put their trust in me and elected me to represent you in parliament as the first ever Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham
Stephen Conway's interview with the local paper.
As the local elections draw near, it is a good time to reflect on some of the good things that the council has achieved over the last two years under Lib Dem leadership.
After taking the leadership of Wokingham Borough Council in 2022 one of the Liberal Democrats’ first acts was a public consultation on a long-term plan for improving walking and cycling in the borough.
A lot of work has gone on with local schools and academy trusts over the past months. And I am very pleased to say that on Friday 1st March 2024 we had a secondary school place for every child who had applied.
Our volunteer deliverers are the backbone of our campaign. Thank you if you can help!
