West Village: amended parking restrictions

After requests from residents, the caretaker and West Village Residents group, parking restrictions were drawn up for West Village and the consultation recently ended.  The response was mixed so a reduced set of restrictions will be going to Traffic Management Sub-Committee on Wednesday.  Here they are:

Residents were concerned that the original plan would reduce the number of parking spaces available, especially were garages are too small to be used.  This reduced scheme addresses the concerns raised but also makes the area safer and more accessible.

As a larger scheme was originally advertised this reduced scheme does not need to be advertised again. This saves time and will enable Reading Borough Council to start making the streets of West Village safer if the plans are approved.

You can read the report and officer comments here:  http://www.reading.gov.uk/article/9594/Traffic-Management-Sub-Committee-14-SEP-2016

Into Battle Update: Sherwood Street and Beresford Road

We don't sit on our laurels in Battle ward!   Just after our Into Battles went to print we made a huge step forward with two of the issues highlighted.

Beresford Road:  it's being proposed that Beresford Road and surrounding streets, shown below, become a 20mph zone after residents expressed concerns about safety.  We brought this up with officers a few weeks ago and it was included in the latest Oxford Road Corridor Study (ORCS) update at the last Traffic Management Sub-committee.

As a regular user of Beresford Road I know only too well how tight the road is for drivers and how hard it is to cross!

It will also be reviewed in phase two of the ORCS once both new Cow Lane bridges are open and changes to traffic flow can be considered.

Google Map.  https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=beresford+road&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&ie=UTF-8&ei=xlw1U-2XDYKThgeM9YD4Dw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ

Sherwood Street:  At the last Traffic Management Sub-committee there was a request to look at Little Johns Lane as a potential area for residents parking.  I saw little use in looking at just one road in this area so requested so, in the meeting, I asked for the whole area to be considered for residents parking. 

The Sherwood Street area is an enclosed area with the only entry/exits being Chester Street, Little Johns Lane, Gordon Place and Alma Street into the Oxford Road.  If a small area is given residents parking, the parking issues will just be shifted into a nearby street which just moves the problem, not solves.  This is why the whole area is being considered and I have asked it include the following streets:

Sherwood Street
Little Johns Lane
Chester Street
Gordon Place
Alma Street
Dorset Street
Westbrook Road
Fulmead Road and Thornton Mews

We will of course consult residents and the results of the consultation will determine what happens.  If most people don't feel they need residents parking, the scheme will not go ahead.

Flooding - be aware and stay safe

I'm a curious fellow and just checked out the flood warnings for Reading.  The below screen shot shows the warnings and alerts for Reading.  This does include parts of Battle ward.

Taken from the Environment Agency website at 22:40 on February 7 2014

You can can check up to date information here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/142151.aspx

Or call the Floodline on 0345 988 1188

Please do not take any risks.  My husband saw a cyclist attempt to cycle through a flood today and witnessed him be knocked from his bike.  He then struggled to recover as the waters were moving quickly and his bike was lost.  Several motorists have had to be rescued from floods recently too.

A visit from the fire service

Last week we got a leaflet through the door saying Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue would be visiting my street. Naturally I forgot all about it until there was a knock at the door this morning.

My youngest was very excited to have firemen in the house. 

They had a good look round,  fitted two free smoke detectors to replace our old ones and went through lots of fire safety advice. I shall be doing the following:

• Fitting a carbon monoxide detector.

• Giving the smoke alarms a vacuum every few weeks to keep them dust free.

• Checking they work weekly.

My youngest even got to have a look at the fire engine parked outside. As a huge Fireman Sam fan he nearly exploded with joy.

If you get a leaflet saying Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue will be popping round, I can assure you they are well worth letting in. Their visit could save your life!