Wokingham

‘Wokingham District Council will now challenge Reading Borough Council’s plans for a one way Inner Distribution Road (IDR), unless Reading can give the assurances the council is looking for around the traffic model and agree remedial measures for those areas that are adversely affected by the proposed changes.’ That’s the view of Wokingham District Council following Reading Borough Council’s green light to the IDR proposal last night.

“We remain extremely concerned about the scheme’s impact on the roads in neighbouring towns and parishes – particularly Woodley, Earley, Sonning and Shinfield, and extending as far as Winnersh and further afield – and have yet to be reassured that Reading have taken account of this. We welcome their decision to extend the consultation period to September 25 and look forward to working with them, but we need up-to-date information on traffic flows and specifics on how and where they intend to tackle congestion problems that will inevitably result in the bordering town and parishes,” said executive member for highways and transport Cllr Anthony Pollock.

Wokingham District Council originally (March) objected to the proposals on the following grounds:

* More detailed and updated information and assessment is required to establish the impacts of the scheme upon the traffic in the Wokingham district during the morning and afternoon peak hours.
* No assessment has been completed as to the likely impact of the scheme outside of the morning and afternoon peak hours.
* Without the information required above, Reading Borough Council is unable to demonstrate that it can satisfy the duty imposed by Section 16 of the Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004 in ‘facilitating the expeditious movement of traffic on road networks for which another authority is the traffic authority’.

A meeting took place between the two councils last week (Thursday August 31) at Wokingham’s request to allow councillors, officers and neighbouring parishes to find out this information but they remain concerned on the following issues:

* Further information is required to assess the full impact of the scheme on the Wokingham district highway network.
* Lack of consideration by Reading Borough Council regarding the impact of the scheme.
* Lack of consideration of the scheme within a wider strategic context of traffic management measures, such as a Third Thames Crossing. The proposals as they stand would indicate a significant increase in traffic on Sonning Bridge.
* Refusal by Reading to consider a local/public inquiry for a fair and transparent assessment and decision-making process.
* Continuing concerns over the validity and robustness of the Reading Transport Model baseline and forecast data.
* No consideration of future development within the Wokingham district and surrounding areas.
* Lack of consideration of the Environmental Statement responses.
* Lack of assessment outside of a.m. and p.m. peak hours.
* Detail on the remedial measures for those areas adversely affected is needed.

And last night (Thursday September 7), at a special meeting of its decision-making executive, Wokingham District Council agreed to make the funding available to make a legal challenge to the IDR proposal if necessary.

Wokingham Cllr Pollock said: “I’m pleased that Reading have allowed for extra time for us to talk to them about our concerns. We want to see clear, up-to-date traffic modelling on areas outside the town centre and at times outside of peak morning and afternoon hours. In addition, we would like to agree with Reading what particular areas are going to be affected, how this can be mitigated and the funding available from Reading to do this.

“Everyone wants to see this issue resolved. If, however, Reading are unable prove to us that this proposal won’t have a significant detrimental impact on the Wokingham district, then the district council is ready and willing to make a legal challenge.”

Wokingham District Council