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An exhibiton into the Station Link Road plans was held last year
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Plans for Station Link Road up for discussion next week

By Laura Herbert
January 09, 2013

Controversial plans to build a road to ease congestion in the town centre are expected to be given the green light tonight.

Plans were due to be discussed this evening (Wednesday), but Wokingham Borough Council has confirmed the meeting has been postponed.

The plans include a new road linking Reading Road and Station Road, a transport interchange, new signal junctions and improved cycle ways and footpaths.

If they are approved, two properties in Reading Road will be demolished to make way for a link road 336m long connecting Wellington Road and A329 Reading Road, which will be part one-way and part two-way.

A combined cycle and footway along the link road will be created, along with a transport interchange at Wokingham train station, four traffic light junctions, noise barriers and pedestrian crossings.

Changes have been made to the plans since they were shown in March, when 62 per cent of people who took part in the consultation backed the proposals.

The council received 28 letters in response to the initial consultation – five in support and 23 letters of objection – including responses from Emmbrook Residents’ Association, the Wokingham Society, Walter Infants School and people living nearby.

A further 42 letters of objection were received from people living in Imperial Court.

Following a consultation on the revised plans, the council received a letter from Emmbrook Residents’ Association and one other that didn’t raise any planning issues.

The main issues raised by objectors were fears the link road would have ‘little impact’ on traffic and have a ‘negative impact on the market town ambience of Wokingham’.

Fears were also raised about increased queuing and congestion in Oxford Road and access to London Road and A329M for people living in Station Road.

Some people were concerned about commuter parking in nearby roads, including Caroline Drive, as the plans will result in a loss of 87 parking spaces at Wokingham train station.

The Station Link Road (SLR) is part of a two-phase multi-million pound scheme to improve Wokingham train station.

The first phase includes the redevelopment of the station building, creating the public transport interchange and changes to the layout of Station Approach.

The phase was previously given planning permission and work started at the end of November.

This application, which is expected to be approved by the council’s planning committee, forms the second phase of the plans.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 16, at the council's offices in Shute End, starting at 7pm.

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Most recent user comments 11 of 11

A patient response Cllr Baker, thank you. I thought that the planning permission for the road that goes through both NR and council land came with it a requirement to maintain parking places at the current level. Reducing them significantly only means that NR will put up prices yet again which just enforces their policy that only the rich are allowed to travel by train because they are pricing out others. The council car park nearby can hold cars all day without issue, but that's being closed. And if cars started parking here, NR would just say there was no demand. This is the problem with a state sponsored monopoly - NOTHING is done for the benefit of the customer/consumer/traveller.

As for the town centre, closing the biggest car park in town will mean a *dramatic* drop in car parking spaces. We need people to come to the town. Any temporary drop will be harmful, but I'm guessing that by "temporary", you mean a good couple of years. Am I right in that?

I really fear for Wokingham if well intentioned long term goals carry significant short term harm.

mavdo, Wokingham
22/01/2013 at 06:46

Mavdo - I could never have given you a guarantee that the station parking spaces would be maintained as the council does not own the car park. We are urging Network Rail who do own the car park) to put in place their longer term plans to replace the missing places sooner than later. But it will be down to them.

Again, on the Town Centre issue I can repeat my reassurance that the number of parking spaces in car parks owned by the council will be maintained at the same level.There will be a dip initially during the rebuilding phase but plans are well advanced to address that dip by expamsion elsewhere. But I cannot guarantee anything on any car park that the council does not own.

Cllr Keith Baker
19/01/2013 at 10:47

When I commented on this story earlier this year, I commented that there was going to be fewer parking spaces and not enough space for the 20-30 taxis that currently spill over into the car park, sat waiting and demanding we pay increased fares. Anyway, I was assured by Cllr Baker that he would mandate that the number of spaces at the station were maintained (but space for taxis was down to Network Rail). Now 87 spaces are going in a car park that is currently full all day, despite charging £6.50.

Cllr Baker also gave me his personal guarantee that parking spaces in the town would be maintain despite building on Peach Place and driving a road through the Paddocks. Will we see a reduction in parking spaces? I still think we will because they are not being replaced. Perhaps, Cllr Baker, you see why I consistently say that I do not believe you.

mavdo, Wokingham
10/01/2013 at 00:32

Cancelled due to 'Admin error'. Your guess is as good as mine.

Paul Daniels' reattached finger.
09/01/2013 at 15:33

Why was the meeting cancelled?

Phil Challis, woodley
09/01/2013 at 15:04

PoneRama. It's a trade off which I'll say is not ideal, however if you take a narrow country road, there is no other option. I'll disagree with your view that this is 'extremely dangerous'. Take a look at this as an example: http://www.decaturmetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00343.jpg

Paul Daniels' reattached finger.
09/01/2013 at 14:14

I don't know where Steve Finch gets his view of the cycle racks at Wokingham Station from. My experience is that on a week day they are usually full and cyclists are forced to lock their cycles to the station fence.

As to cycle lanes that can be driven on where the road is narrow (PD's finger) that is an etremely dangerous suggestion that defeats the whole purpose of cycle lanes.

PoneRana, Wokingham
09/01/2013 at 13:04

4 Traffic light junctions on a 336m metre road? That wont be too frustrating!!!

R Matthews
09/01/2013 at 12:59

If they're getting rid of parking spaces (brilliant idea for a commuter town) then this "transport interchange" presumably consists of some empty bus stops for the virtually non-existent bus service around here, and a taxi rank. Plus a few barely used cycle racks. With nothing being done about the level crossing either, a once-in-a-generation chance to sort out the station area will be wasted, then.

Steve Finch, Finchampstead
09/01/2013 at 11:52

'A combined cycle and footway along the link road will be created'. We need on-road cycle lanes (which can be driven on by cars where the road is narrow). Shared paths are not ideal for those trying to commute. You want Wokingham to stand out from all the other town centres? Get people on their bikes.

Paul Daniels' reattached finger.
09/01/2013 at 10:33

Interesting... "62 per cent of people who took part in the consultation backed the proposals", and then we get a list of the 67 letters of objection/concern and 5 letters of support.

Is this an example of massaged figures? When people are asked if they support the railway station, do responses like 'yes, if..' and 'yes, but' count as positive? That would make it all make more sense.