Wokingham

Free parking in Wokingham on Thursdays and Fridays could be on offer as Wokingham district council considers proposals to tempt shoppers to the town centre.

The town’s traders have asked Wokingham district council for help to attract shoppers to the market town at a time when the centre is quiet and free from traffic congestion.

Wokingham Chief executive Doug Patterson said: “We’re very aware of the difficulties being reported by traders at the moment, due to the closure of Finchampstead Road to allow vital work by South East Water to take place.

“We are keen to be able to help as much as we can and the council is set to consider a proposal to offer free parking in district council-owned car parks in Wokingham town centre on Thursdays and Fridays until mid-June as a one-off special case. The town’s retailers think that this will help to boost their trade and, should the proposal get the green light by councillors, I hope that they will see an increase in shoppers as a result.”

Water company South East Water has joined Wokingham district council to help fund the cost of the proposed free car parking. The offer would start from next week (Thursday April 27) and apply to the Paddocks (Elms Road), Rose Street, Easthampstead Road east and west and Cockpit Path car parks and the district-council run section of Denmark Street car park in Wokingham town centre.

Work by South East Water on Finchampstead Road began on February 27, 2006, to replace old water mains which are in a poor condition and increasingly prone to bursts and leaks. There have been in excess of 30 leaks over the last few years, causing disruption to traffic and residents and the work being carried out should prevent these from happening again in the near future.

Wokingham District Council and South East Water have worked together to ensure that the work is coordinated and that disruption is kept as low as possible. Evening and weekend work has been carried out by South East Water where appropriate and the council has timed its own resurfacing and drainage improvement works to coincide, meaning that the road will not need to be closed again in the near future.

David Shore, director of operations at South East Water, said: "The company is pleased to continue working closely with Wokingham District Council, and I was glad of the opportunity to meet again last week. This allowed us to offer an update on the scheme's progress and ensure the operational, timing and health and safety issues we need to comply with on this vital scheme were clearly understood.

"While we have clear legal obligations to upgrade our water supply network for the benefit of our customers in Wokingham and the surrounding area, we have sought to minimise any disruption caused during the closure of Finchampstead Road by working with the council.

"It's because of this close working relationship that we are pleased to have made a contribution to allow some free parking, for the remainder of the mains relaying scheme, which we hope will address the concerns of local traders."

The council has also been looking into what other assistance is available to businesses and is advising those directly affected by the work on Finchampstead Road that they can appeal to the valuation office for a review of their business rate listing. Where something such as road works adversely affect a business, the valuation office may consider grounds for an appeal. More information is available from the valuation office on www.voa.gov.uk or by calling (0118) 980 4800.

Time restrictions and associated penalties will remain in place in Wokingham town’s car parks. Anyone with queries should contact highways on (0118) 974 6302/6303.

Wokingham District Council