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News Archive - Week Beginning 21st February 2010

The editors say: The roads of Reading (like elsewhere) are falling apart. It is common for Councils to blame the winter but note that any recently surfaced or well-maintained roads are fine. Roads that were hitherto poorly maintained are deteriorating rapidly after the snow, but only because they were neglected in the first place. Snow, ice and rain aren't exactly uncommon in winter. The people responsible for the roads have now had their neglect highlighted, albeit by a perfectly predictable cause. That they got away with it for so long is purely chance - just because we've had a few mild winters. The upshot is that we - tax payers - have paid a lot of money to Council staff for them to maintain the infrastructure (roads). They have failed to do their bit, and we've a very poor return for our taxes. Something needs to change - and that includes levels of professional competence.

In the meantime, we strongly suggest cursing Council managers every time you hit a pot hole, and using the 'Fill That Hole' free service to report each and every incidence. (It's not just for cyclists!)

Caversham People

The success of an online directory that was jointly founded by a Caversham entrepreneur, Paul Holland, is described in a feature. The Wampit directory has grown from 2,000 members six months ago to 350,000 and its founders are now talking to investors. The directory offers free listings but makes revenue from optional extras such as video footage and the ability to upload rich content. (Reading Chronicle 25/02/10 p16)

Council Tax

The minority Labour administration of the RBC has imposed a 2.2% rise in council tax from April as the result of “a four-hour squabbling session” last Tuesday at the Council chambers. The Conservative opposition on the council had wanted to freeze the level of tax, but Labour argued that the increase was necessary to preserve essential services. A vote was finally taken at 11.35pm, with the Conservatives managing to be out of the room at the time – and thereby missing the vote. The Labour budget was approved by 19 votes to eight, despite LibDem opposition. Tables in the ‘Chronicle’ and ‘Get Reading’ provide details of what the new banded charges will be. (Reading Post 24/02/10 p6, Reading Chronicle 25/02/10 pp1,5, Get Reading 26/02/10 pp2,26)

Environment

The RBC parks and open spaces team is reported to be investigating ways to make better use of Thames Promenade and to encourage more visitors. The Promenade runs from Caversham Bridge to Cow Lane – plans include surfacing the path from the Rivermead car park to the promenade, so that the car park can be used during the evening for events taking place in the Thames parks, including Caversham Court Gardens. With regards Caversham Court, a new boat mooring platform will be established on the south bank to ferry visitors over the river to events at the Court. The Thames Parks Plan is already RBC policy, and will be implemented over the next three to five years. (Reading Post 24/02/10 p20)

An enquiry by Christopher Walton, who owns Waltons the jewellers in Prospect Street, concerning whom to contact with regards fixing broken streetlights in the Chester Road car park (all four lights there were out of action) is highlighted by ‘Get Reading’. The paper says that identifying who was responsible for fixing the lights proved a difficult task – the car park operator NCP finally took on the task, after being asked to do so by the RBC. (Get Reading 26/02/10 p33)`

Police

The Thames Valley Police have started to produce a log concerning the use of its police helicopters in the TVP’s areas of operation, and are publishing the details of helicopter activity on its website via this link. The concerns and complaints of local people about the noise of the police helicopter (and its use at less than sociable hours) are commented upon by ‘Get Reading’: ‘at one stage the situation got so dire Caversham’s neighbourhood police team issued an apology to residents – but said there was not much they could do about the noise’. (Get Reading 26/02/10 p14)

Planning

There is further comment on the extensive series of RBC consultations that is currently taking place - with a series of public meetings and an exhibition at Caversham library on Thursday, March 4th. There's more details on our 'events' page. (Get Reading 26/02/10 p16)

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