Lib Dems In Oxfordshire and Berkshire Unite Against Reading Ring Road Plans - Joint Statement

Published on Thu 7th Sep 2006

Joint Statement by Leaders of the Liberal Democrat Councillor Groups of Reading Borough Council, Wokingham District Council, West Berks District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council Regarding Reading Borough Council's IDR Proposals

Liberal Democrat Councillors from Reading, Wokingham, West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire all believe that the proposals by Reading Borough Council's ruling Labour group to turn Reading's inner ring road (the IDR) one-way are flawed and need to be put on hold to allow essential consultation to take place to see if the scheme is viable in any form.

It is clear that Reading has not seriously considered the objections submitted formally and with due process. Many of these are concerned not just at the hopelessly inadequate consultation process, but on the significant increase in traffic flow the IDR plans will have on neighbouring communities. Labour-controlled Reading Borough Council has not fully evaluated these, nor has it produced proposals for mitigation.

The lack of engagement with the public for Thursday's council meeting has been consistent with the Labour-led council's failure to respect the legitimate concerns of citizens and groups in Reading and neighbouring councils.

The Liberal Democrats are the only major party which has opposed the

one-way IDR from the outset. We all share concerns about this scheme which ducks the key transport issues affecting Reading today.

We urge Reading Borough Council not to take this decision on Thursday.

NOTES:

Reading Borough Council's proposals are based on a traffic model which uses out of date information (1991 traffic figures) and which we understand does not include any proposed development in the neighbouring authorities, for example the Winnersh Triangle redevelopment which will increase the workforce from 6 - 7,000 to a potential maximum of 20,000, and a proposed development of several thousand houses in Kennet Meadows, between M4 junctions 11 and 12. Even using out of date and incomplete information, the model demonstrates a substantial increase in traffic in Wokingham District, especially over the Sonning bridge (94% increase), and in Earley, Woodley and Winnersh.

The Liberal Democrats have grave concerns about the consultation process. The deadline for Wokingham District Council's response to the consultation regarding the Environment Statement does not end for another two weeks, but Reading Borough Council are making the decision about proceeding with the IDR proposals this week (Thursday 7th September). This supports the Liberal Democrats' suspicions that Reading Borough Council are attempting to steamroller the plans through without considering the knock-on effects in neighbouring authorities.

Liberal Democrat Councillors from Reading, West Berks, South Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Wokingham are working together to oppose Reading's IDR plans.