Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates Ward
There are two Liberal Democrat councillors in Maiden Erlegh and Whitegates ward.
Your Liberal Democrat Councillors for Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates
Your two Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors are:
- Stephen Newton
- Andy NG Siu-hong
Earley Town Councillor Mike Smith is also a Liberal Democrat campaigner in Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates.
Liberal Democrats working for you in Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates
Culver Lane
Councillor Steve Newton has been chasing investigations into the flooding in Culver Lane under the motorway and railway. Two investigations on site have shown this is very complicated but repairs and new pipework has been carried out and the flooding is no more. Councillor Stephen Newton says, “This section of Culver Lane was in poor condition and flooded in heavy rain. I had to actively sort out who was responsible. I am pleased to say officers at both Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils worked together to create a solution. .” Lib Dem Councillor Andy NG Siu-hong says "We will continue to monitor the situation until the relevant departments fully resolve the issue". Further work is planned as part of the Woodley to Reading Active Travel project.
During the winter, the only cricket pitch in Earley has undergone a complete refurbishment and, despite some vandalism, it will be ready for early April when the cricket season starts.
Campaigner Mike Smith says “Cricket is hugely popular and this is an important investment for Earley residents.”
Listening to you and taking action
Here are some of the many things that your Lib Dem councillors in Earley have taken action on because we listened to you:
• We raised your concerns about the illegal use of e-scooters, and the Local Police Area Commander has since announced a crackdown on them.
• We listened to your concerns about the need for roads to be maintained. You may have seen some of our new preventative maintenance measures and the very efficient “jetpatcher” at work. Beech Lane has just had a series of repairs and many side roads have had work too.
• Besides our actions already taken to improve road safety outside schools, your Earley Lib Dem councillors are working with residents on further measures.
Investing in children's safety
Maiden Erlegh Councillors have improved safety around our schools over many years. The road signage has been renewed outside Loddon School. Town Councillor Mike Smith says, “It is not just about introducing new protections, we have to maintain the existing ones, too.” The Lib Dem led Town Council has been investing in new facilities like the new play equipment at Meadow Park and Collins Drive. Mike Smith, Steve Newton and Andy NG Siu-hong say “It is really important for great mental health that we provide stimulating play equipment for the children of Maiden Erlegh.”
New ward boundaries
Borough Election boundaries changed last year, with 18 new wards across Wokingham Borough, each represented by 3 councillors. As a part of this, we welcome residents who previously voted in Bulmershe & Whitegates ward to the new Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates ward. In April 2025, a Community Governance Review is underway which may see changes to the Town Wards for the May 2027 elections.
Road safety around our schools
We're delighted to see the improvements to road safety last summer around the shops and Maiden Erlegh School's entry road. In addition to the introduction of a one way system and sinage for the car park, the main carriageway has been fully resurfaced, parking restrictions have been extended and all the road surface speed limit markings have been redone.
New facilities for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
It is great to see that Wokingham Borough Council has given the go-ahead to the Maiden Erlegh Trust to convert the old Silverdale Centre to a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities facility for 25 pupils. The will be a considerable help locally and will help reduce Wokingham Borough Council's costs as the pupils won't have to travel out of the area for their specialist needs.
At Radstock School, a new dedicated SEND unit has just received Planning Permission and will be built next year.
Earley railway footbridge
Since 2019, Town Councillor Mike Smith has been reporting on the poor state of the footbridge at Earley station that goes over the railway and motorway.
There was previously a very expensive proposal to replace the bridge that would have resulted in the destruction of ancient woodland on both sides of the motorway, disturbed the ambience of the Earley Cemetery by building across it and would have removed almost all parking at the station. It would also not have provided any access to the London bound platform from the bridge.
A revised plan is to repair the bridge, giving it another 15 years of life and saving a huge amount of money that can be directed at other essential local projects such as affordable homes. There will be a temporary closure for the work to be done, and tenders are being sought right now to repair the section across the A3290 and replace both ramps completely. The preparation work is underway and, depending on Network Rail, the work will hopefully be undertaken in 2026. Town Councillor Mike Smith says, “I have been chasing this for years so this is great news, as this is such an important link.”
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