Local bus services are vital for Wokingham Borough and the wider area. They play an important role for people to access jobs, retail and services, schools’/ further education, business to business connectivity, visiting the hospital/health centres as well as for leisure activities.
After many attempts at persuading the Government to adopt a more common sense approach on housing numbers, both in Wokingham Borough and on a national scale, I’m pleased to see signs that our message may finally have been heard.
The council needs people’s views to help it write a new, updated version of its Local Transport Plan, an official document guiding how it maintains and improves footways, cycle lanes, roads and other transport networks for many years to come.
As the country falls into a cost-of-living crisis, you will have been seeing a lot of communications from the council about how we’re striving to work in partnership to protect those in need. You’ll also be reading a number of articles about the financial challenges the council faces.
The issue we must now address is how to move forward with a New Local Plan, and one that meets, as best we can, the wishes of our residents, including those that need the new housing we must provide.
Wokingham Borough Council is embarking on a new approach to thinking about the future – one that is centred on the community’s own aspirations.
The council had not received any funding from the government to help run routes around the borough, despite seeing the second highest passenger growth in England, outside of London, in the 10 years leading up to the pandemic.
Cllr Paul Fishwick, the executive member for active travel, transport and highways called on Westminster to do more to help fund councils so road maintenance can be carried out.
Thank you Christine Jardine MP!
