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News Archive - Week Beginning 7th February 2010

The editors say: How odd, if that's the word, that our Council should be backing the closure of Gravel Hill despite a majority being against it. Normally, they'll claim the public voice as justification. We are cynical enough to suspect a hidden agenda - either the cost-savings or something longer-term. More housing in the area? You read it here first.

Crime

According to local PCSO Rob Dunford, there has been a spate of lead thefts recently in Caversham (described by 'Get Reading' as 'one of Reading's prettiest areas'). PCSO Dunford warns that vintage properties with lead in their roofs are particularly susceptible to theft (wasn't the Library targeted recently?), and recommends that residents should "reduce the chance of having lead stolen by ensuring areas are well lit, with minimal climbing aids, and consider deterrents ..." So leave the crampons out of sight. (Get Reading 12/02/10 p41)

Environment

The annual RESCUE (Reading's River and Environmental Spaces Clean Up) event takes place this year over the weekend of Saturday March 13th and 14th. Residents can volunteer to clear the river Thames in the Caversham vicinity, and a 'RESCUE recovery event' is also planned to mark the 21 years that the RBC scheme has been in operation. For more information or to register visit their site, find 'RESCUE 2010' on Facebook or call Tel: 0118 937 2100 (Reading Post 10/02/10 p69)

Parking

Following intervention by RBC Conservative Councillor for Peppard Ward Richard Willis (involving 'calling in' the decision to raise car park charges across Reading), an amended list of increased charges at the Council's car parks will be implemented on Friday, March 5th. With regards Caversham, the Chester Street car park will now charge 60p for the first two hours, 90p for three hours and £2 for four hours. At Hills Meadow and at Kings Meadow, the rates remain unchanged up to four hours, but then will be £5 for 4-6 hours and £12 for 6-24 hours (doubling the previous rate). We know we always harp on about this, but it wasn't so long ago that the Chester Street car park was without charge. (Reading Post 10/02/10 p80, Get Reading 12/02/10 p2)

Road Safety

A letter from Lowfield Road resident Mick Richards draws attention to Reading's North Area Access Study / Caversham Park Village Local Area Enhancement (CPV LAE) proposals. The letter comments specifically on the inadequacies of proposals in the CPV LAE towards road safety in Caversham Park Village (including Lowfield Road). The proposals include the creation of traffic chicanes (described by the writer as an inconvenience for the majority of safe drivers) and the 'stupid' closure of lay-bys. In summary, the writer argues: "what we expect ... ... is leadership based on expertise and practical knowledge of the problem being tackled. I have to say the CPV LAE demonstrates neither of these qualities". (Reading Chronicle 11/02/10 p15)

Schools

Highdown School in Emmer Green has been given an 'outstanding' rating (the highest possible grade) in its latest Ofsted inspection. The rating improves on the 'good' assessment received by the secondary school in its previous Ofsted inspection in 2007. Headteacher Tim Royle received particular praise for his leadership skills, with the report highlighting the staff's pride at working there and that the students are happy and enjoying school life. (Reading Post 10/02/10 p4, Reading Chronicle 11/02/10 p5)

A 'Chronicle' item describes the activities of the Caversham Primary School's student council, which is made up of 15 children at the school. A photo shows the council standing together with acting head Ruth Perry and Mayor Fred Pugh, who paid a visit to the school 'to give the new recruits some tips on civic responsibility'. (Reading Chronicle 11/02/2010 p32)

A charity event at Queen Anne's School on the Henley Road, the 'Crazy Socks and Tights' day held on Wednesday, 3rd February, is described. The event involved pupils paying £1.50 to go to the school in 'crazy' footwear, and raised funds for the Afghan Action charity. (Reading Post 10/02/2010 p15)

'Get Reading' reports on a visit by six pupils from Year Six at Caversham Park Primary School to Clayfield Copse, where they helped members of the Friends of Clayfield Copse to plant a rare pear tree. The Copse already has a rare pear tree planted there, but it has stopped producing fruit so the new flora is hoped to encourage cross-pollination. (Get Reading 12/02/10 p24)

Traffic

The RBC Traffic Management Advisory Panel decided at its meeting on Tuesday, January 12th to recommend to the Council's cabinet that the six-month 'experimental' closure of Gravel Hill to through traffic is made permanent. The narrow road, linking Caversham's Kidmore Road and St Barnabas Road in Emmer Green had been closed as an access route for vehicles between June 17th and December 16th 2009, for reasons including road safety and damage to adjoining hedgerows. According to Appendix 'A' of the meeting's minutes there were 41 communications from Reading residents received by the RBC in favour of the closure, and 54 against. Financial reasons may have a lot to do with the recommendation to make the Gravel Hill closure permanent - the meeting minutes estimate that it will cost an estimated £95,000 to re-open the road to two-way traffic, with additional annual maintenance costs of £15,000 - £20,000 per year. This is compared to a 'one off' closure cost of about £8,000. (More details)

Interestingly, of the six RBC councillors on the Advisory Panel, just one, Peppard Ward's Richard Willis, represents (or lives) in the area affected by the closure. The recommendation is to be considered at the RBC cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday evening, February 15th.