Redlands Liberal Democrats

Forthcoming consultations

There are two big consultations coming up that affect large parts of the ward, and two other consultations about to happen.

The University is putting forward significant development plans for both Mansfield Hall (down near the junction of Kendrick and London Rd) and for the Whiteknight's site (the proposal for the hotel has come back). We will be working hard over the next several weeks to understand these complex development plans and their impact on local residents. Many people have already contacted us with concerns about parking and potential anti social behaviour. If you'd like more information, please contact me on 0118 9264780 and I will let you know what we know!

The Council is consulting on polling stations (especially access and location). A number of folks have contacted us about the distance they need to go to vote and we have passed these on the Council. Nevertheless, it's very good if you comment directly, via http://www.reading.gov.uk/polling.

Two other consultations affecting particular streets are:
- waiting areas on Eastern Ave
- the "experimental" one-way system in Eldon Street, Eldon Terrace and Victoria Street

All of these are just about to take place, so if you are likely to be affected, look out for the communications on these subjects. If you have any queries, please get in touch.

Redlands catch-up

Daisy and I haven't posted an update here for the last month, for which many apologies.
We have been keeping pretty busy! Here is a quick summary of what has been happening...

IDR - the planned one-way IDR has been shelved, and the traffic problems in Reading have been placed into a wide-ranging transport commission involving ourselves and Labour. The Conservatives have so far been rather on-again, off-again on the proposed review, but we still hope they will participate. Traffic problems are complex and all voices need to be heard.

Glass and Food Waste Petition - thanks so much to everyone who has signed it online and in person. We are printing and distributing more forms: it's unacceptable that most people in the area have no nearby bottlebanks, yet there is no kerbside collection of glass. Recent MP committee reports make it clear just how unacceptable fortnightly collection of food waste is. We will keep pushing for the much needed policy review (which some people will no doubt try to present as all their idea...)

End of term tipping - it's such a shame that many of the gardens in some streets in the Ward have become dumping places for old sofas, household and building waste. We have been repeatedly reminding the Council to clear up, and it has been happening...slowly. Almost a month after the end of term, there are still gardens filled with rubbish. There has to be a better way. Daisy especially has been working hard with the Council and the University to find a solution to this depressingly predictable problem.

Neighbourhood Action Group - the Redlands NAG has been active. I was leafleting with the street wardens and Streetcare team a few weeks ago, as part of the campaign to encourage everyone to report crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. It can be discouraging to report issues and then not see an immediate response, but the Police do rely on reporting to target resources, and every report is captured and analysed: spotting patterns can greatly help the Police capture people in the act.

Planning Enforcement - thankyou to everyone who has reported potential planning breaches to Daisy and me. Please keep them coming! I believe that the Planning system only works if there is impartial but rigorous enforcement, and there are a number of streets in the area which are under pressure from, shall we say, thoughtless development. The enforcement process can take time, but there have been some recent very satisfying results of prosecutions in Reading.