ANGRY neighbours have hit out at a proposal to make part of Woodley into a one way system for cars.
Recently, Wokingham Borough Council unveiled its plans for an ‘active travel route’ linking Woodley town centre to Reading.
Active travel route are dedicated paths for walkers, joggers and cyclists that would make journeys between Woodley and Reading easier and safer.
Proposals involve creating segregated cycle paths, widening passing places and upgrading junctions on the route.
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However, there has been anger over a suggestion to make Woodlands Avenue one way between Lytham Road and Howth Drive.
That would mean drivers could only use Woodlands Avenue to go west towards Reading along this section, as part of the current road would be taken over for the use of walkers and cyclists.
Councillor Shirley Boyt (Labour, Bulmershe & Whitegates) raised fears the one way system would delay emergency services in critical situations.
Cllr Boyts said: “If an ambulance had to get to a house, they’d have to go on a huge circular loop, which could add five to six minutes to their journey, and that might mean the difference between someone surviving a heart attack and not surviving a heart attack.”
Concerns have also been raised by the Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East.
Mr Rodda said: “I support efforts to make it easier to walk and cycle and I believe that encouraging walking and cycling can help protect the environment and enable more people to stay active and healthy.
“However, I am very concerned about some aspects of the proposed scheme, including a one way system on Woodlands Avenue, and new junctions at the end of Culver Lane, where there is a difficult bottle neck near the bridges under the railway and motorway.”
A consultation on the proposed changes is currently being held on the Engage Wokingham website, which expires on Monday, February 21.
You can respond to the consultation here.
The one way system proposal is also being opposed by councillor Keith Baker (Conservative, Coronation) a Woodley resident and the current Wokingham Borough mayor.
He’s offered to help residents who don’t have access to the internet by giving out printed copies of the consultation.
Once residents have filled in the document, they can hand it back to cllr Baker who will fill it in online on their behalf.
People who don’t have internet can get a copy by requesting one from cllr Baker by texting 07917 673370.
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To highlight the strength of feeling, a paper only ‘One Way, No Way’ petition has been set up, which can be signed at Woodley News in the town centre and MAS Newsagents in Brecon Road Parade, with others to follow.
Cllr Baker said over 600 people have signed it so far, and predicts that over 1000 will have signed it before it presented at the next full borough council meeting.
Currently, the council aims to begin work in the summer.
Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport (Conservative, Hillside) said that a planning application will need to be submitted once the design is finalised.
She explained: “People don’t really get that the consultation is trying to gather people’s opinions.
“This is not a final design. We’re in a catch 22, if we don’t design something people ask for detail, then when we do they think it’s a done deal.
“This design has been produced, we will get feedback based on the responses and come up with something people will agree on, then it will make planning.”
For his part, cllr Baker said: “If they [council planners] wanted to go ahead and it becomes a planning matter we will fight it as vigorously as we are fighting it now.”
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