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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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THOUSANDS of people have signed a petition which aims to protect the Thames Path from future development.

The petition on change.org has been set up by campaign group Save our Ancient Riverside (SOAR) which urges Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to designate the Thames Path east of Kennet Mouth as protected Local Green Space.

It has so far, at the time of writing, gained 2,273 signatures.

The petition's page claims: "In an assessment of Kennetmouth by WBC last year, it was claimed that the "site is not considered to be of particular local significance and holds no formal recreational value.

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"The area of land is safeguarded for strategic transport network improvements, notably a high quality express bus service or mass rapid transit."

Campaigners have rallied together to express their concerns to WBC.

The page said: "Please let Wokingham Council know that this is a total misrepresentation of the community's feeling towards this beloved Green Space - a location which has been a lifeline during the pandemic."

It added: "Let them know that we want this area of land preserved as Green Space and DO NOT want to see it earmarked for a future development like the MRT - a scheme which Wokingham Council rejected after unprecedented levels of opposition."

The concerns follow a consultation in spring last year in which the public was invited to nominate local green spaces for protection.

A Local Green Space (LGS) is a label given under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) allowing greater protection to areas against future development. WBC said there is a set national criteria that has to be met to allow for such protection.

The council said there was 'a small number' of initial responses to the consulation, and of these there were eight green spaces added to the Draft Local Plan.

However, the area around Kennet Mouth was not included as the council said the nomination related to 'only a narrow strip of land between the railway line and the river' - west of Wokingham Waterside Centre - which did not meet the LGS criteria.

The council has since called for further feedback to the draft local plan and LGS designations and has had more than 100 responses - several including new areas and some with different boundaries including the Kennet Mouth area.

A council spokeswoman said: "In the Kennet Mouth area, a wider area to that originally considered has now been suggested as well as additional information provided.

"The new wider area incorporates the open space and river frontage along the Thames, whereas the previous nomination covered only a narrow strip of land between the railway line and the river, primarily west of the Wokingham Waterside Centre."

The statement added: "We are now carefully considering everyone's comments [on the draft local plan] as we decide how to move forward.

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"All views will be considered as we move forward and prepare for further consultation on the local plan later this year. This includes views offered through a valid petition. Where justified, our draft proposals will be amended to include revised or new Local Green Spaces."

The petition said signatures are welcomed from "everyone and anyone who values the environment and who believes the Thames Path is a national asset which needs protecting from unwanted development".

A summary of responses to the consultation is available on wokingham.gov.uk

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'A lifeline during pandemic': Petition set up to protect Thames Path from development

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THOUSANDS of people have signed a petition which aims to protect the Thames Path from future development. The petition on change.org has been set up by campaign group Save our Ancient Riverside (SOAR) which urges Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to designate the Thames Path east of Kennet Mouth as protected Local Green Space.

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CORR: Paragraph 20 edited to clarify that councillor Tony Page was talking about a specific area of the proposed East Reading MRT site when stating that "there is no wildlife there", that people were lying about the scheme and that it is a "rubbish dump".

Revised plans for a mass rapid transit scheme in East Reading were slammed "lipstick on a pig" at full council on Tuesday, October 16.

The new East Reading MRT application will be submitted later this month for determination in early 2019, with a green camouflage on the structure the only major change.

Campaigners have slammed the council for wasting resources on the scheme after it was rejected by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC).

Councillor Tony Page, lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: "The proposed new scheme will reclaim, rejuvenate and regenerate a section of Reading's run down riverside.

"This scheme will deter drug-dealing, fly-tipping, illegal mooring and other anti-social activity, which has made this an unfriendly and quite threatening area by day and virtual no-go area at night."

Councillor Rob White, Reading Green Party leader criticised the updated scheme at full council.

He said: "The changes could be summarised as lipstick on a pig."

Campaigners Save Our Ancient Riverside (SOAR) called Cllr Page's comments a cynical attempt to devalue the location where the council wants to build the road.

The main adaptation is the inclusion of plants and natural vegetation, which Cllr Page says will deliver a softer and greener structure.

Councillor Page said: "There are no other changes needed. All other environmental elements were included in the original application."

He added that the update is consistent with WBC's recently updated proposals for a new park and ride site at Thames Valley Park which was approved by their planning committee on October 10.

Wokingham Borough Council rejected plans for a dedicated bus, pedestrian and cycle route by a single vote earlier this year.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) approved the East Reading MRT scheme designs, but Wokingham councillors raised serious concerns about damage to the environment.

SOAR said: "RBC are trying to push through a £31.5 million concrete flyover that would fell over 766 trees and destroy a peaceful Thames riverside location enjoyed by thousands of local residents."

"The scheme has already been rejected by Wokingham Council for contravening multiple local and national planning policies designed to protect the environment."

Councillor Page said that tree count includes weeds, trees that have sprouted baby trees and saplings; he considers only mature trees to count.

He added: "All trees will be replaced; none are more than 40 years old.

"The area was a coal yard: Huntley & Palmers. It was always industrial land. It is a complete misnomer to describe it as ancient riverside."

The deputy leader said critics of the scheme are deliberately trying to mislead.

He said: "There is no wildlife [in the relatively small area of land to the immediate east of the Horseshoe Bridge within Wokingham borough]. The people that claim that are lying. It is a rubbish dump.

"I am partly to blame for allowing SOAR to misrepresent the scheme."

"The Loddon Lily is the one bit that might be affected by bank works but we are making sure it won't be.

"The main area that people use - Thames Valley Park - is unaffected.

He added: "Opponents do not have an alternative route. They pretend employment growth and housing is not taking place.

"The best we can hope for is to absorb the growth onto mass rapid transit.

"Otherwise people coming in from Wokingham and Bracknell will be stuck in a bottleneck from Thames Valley Park roundabout to Cemetery Junction."

As part of the plans, RBC will tidy up and lighten up the riverbank area, replacing illegal moorings with legitimate ones.

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'Lipstick on a pig': New East Reading MRT plans attacked

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CORR: Paragraph 20 edited to clarify that councillor Tony Page was talking about a specific area of the proposed East Reading MRT site when stating that "there is no wildlife there", that people were lying about the scheme and that it is a "rubbish dump".

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A campaign to revitalise the riverside in Reading and Wokingham kicked off on Saturday with a stream of ideas generated including a mural on the Horseshoe Bridge.

Campaigners who successfully opposed a controversial segregated bus, cycle and walking route along the Thames riverside are now looking for ideas to revamp the pathway.

The area which campaigners are looking to improve is roughly from the Tesco, on Napier Road, to the Wokingham Waterside Centre but also includes a small part of the River Kennet.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO READING'S RIVERSIDE? Send in your ideas here

Save Our Ancient Riverside (SOAR) campaigned against the East Reading Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) scheme, which was rejected by Wokingham Borough Council twice last year.

It was then withdrawn by Reading Borough Council (RBC) in January.

The now-shelved plan for the MRT.

READ AGAIN: 'Lipstick on a pig' - campaigning against the riverside MRT plan

The campaigners are now focusing on how Reading's 'wildlife corridor' can be improved.

Residents and councillors joined SOAR at Kennet Mouth, by the Horseshoe Bridge, on Saturday, May 11.

Wokingham councillors Shirley Boyt, Andy Croy and Carl Doran were joined by RBC councillors Tony Page, Mohammed Ayub, Karen Rowland, Brenda McGonigle and Josh Williams.

Ideas generated include:

A mural on the Horseshoe Bridge

History and information boards

Preserving and restoring Kennet Mouth mosaic and plaque and cleaning up the area around it

Segregated cycle/pedestrian paths

Picnic areas, toilets and a café

Benches and bins

A city farm

One contributor even suggested a 'Clooney Bridge', though it is not entirely clear what this would be.

Following Saturday's idea-gathering event, SOAR will host a public meeting in autumn, presenting the 'feasible ideas which gathered the most enthusiasm', before beginning the process of how to instigate them.

The campaign group will then seek approval from landowners for a shortlist of ideas.

Landowners of the riverside land between Wokingham and Reading include RBC, Wokingham Borough Council, Network Rail, the University of Reading and Tesco.

The group would then look to raise funding through various channels.

Councillor Tony Page, lead member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport at RBC, has suggested using the plans the council had developed to mitigate the environmental impact of the MRT, such as softening the riverbank and installing moorings.

These were already backed by the Environment Agency as part of the MRT scheme.

To submit your ideas to the group visit https://padlet.com/newtchaser/Kennetmouth

Reading riverside regeneration - your ideas

"Send us your ideas - as big or small as you like! "

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

Hilary Smart

Clare Buchta

Sarah Bascombe-McCarthy

David Provins

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New campaign to revamp Reading riverside - the ideas so far

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A campaign to revitalise the riverside in Reading and Wokingham kicked off on Saturday with a stream of ideas generated including a mural on the Horseshoe Bridge. Campaigners who successfully opposed a controversial segregated bus, cycle and walking route along the Thames riverside are now looking for ideas to revamp the pathway.

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Thanks to local 'Litter Champion' Ed we not only had a cleared outdoor spot to play in but he also took this clip of the outcome.

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Ed Woloszy

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S O A R - Save Our Ancient Riverside

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Abi Reilly The area would need a CCTV camera to prevent repeated fly tipping

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There is so much rubbish and fly tipping 

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There is so much rubbish and fly tipping 

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Helen Pringle There is so much rubbish and fly tipping around that area. I respect and welcome the fact that the boat people have made a home there and some homeless people have set up camp but we need to do something about the rubbish generated

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Erica Evans Clearing up horseshoe bridge area, litter pick and revamp around ground mural and brick bench. Sharps removal. Cctv put in to deter crimes like recent stabbing and public drug use. I am keen to help out with cleaning up the area by the big willow

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Provide a safe hygienic place for drug users to take injectable drugs to reduce the problem of people using needles and discarding them in the bushes

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Needs regular cleaning and re-painting. It is owned by Network Rail

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To help maintain it

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And clear up rubbish regularly

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Communal vegetable & Herb growing in tubs or beds

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Maybe launch design competition in local schools

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and clean up and mow the area around it.

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Annually

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/5JFQ3vCMAByu2CDC8