To receive petitions on traffic management matters submitted in accordance with the Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference.

(a)      Petition – Wokingham Road Crossing

The Sub-Committee received a report on the receipt of a petition that had been received requesting that a pedestrian crossing be installed on Wokingham Road, near to the junction with Hamilton Road.

The report stated that on 18 May 2025 a petition had been submitted to the Council that had counted indications of support from 180 individuals.  The full petition read as follows:

“We the undersigned request that a safe crossing be installed on Wokingham Rd close to the Hamilton Road bus stop (by the cemetery wall).

“Many residents have expressed their concerns about the dangers of crossing there. In particular elderly, disabled people and those with young children find it challenging to cross the road when high volumes of cars travel at speed. A safe crossing would be a clear signal to drivers that pedestrians are trying to cross the road. We urge you to implement this important measure for the benefit of the people of Park Ward.”

The report explained that at the desired location, Wokingham Road, was a 30mph street, with two westbound traffic lanes (a bus lane and a general traffic lane) and an eastbound general traffic lane with an advisory cycle lane alongside.  Both sides of the road had Red Route ‘no stopping at any time’ restrictions in place, with the cemetery on the northern side and residential properties, some of which had off-street parking access, on the southern side.

The report recommended that officers considered the requested change and undertook a high level desktop study in order to make recommendations to a future meeting.  It was likely that such a requested change would need to be considered for entry on the Council’s regularly reported ‘Requests for Traffic Management Measures’ as there was currently no identified funding or staffing resource to commence development of a scheme at the current time.

At the invitation of the Chair the petition organiser, Electra Colios, addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the petitioners. 

At the invitation of the Chair Brian Oatway also addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the petition.

Resolved –

(1)      That the report be noted;

(2)      That officers consider the contents of the petition and make their recommendations in a petition response report to be submitted to a future meeting;

(3)      That no public enquiry be held into the proposals.

(Councillors Ayub and Barnett-Ward declared an interest in the above item on the grounds that they had signed the petition. They took no part in the discussion or decision making.)

(b)      Petition – Southcote School Street

Further to Minute 35 of the previous meeting, the Sub-Committee received a report on the receipt of a petition that had been received requesting the establishment of a School Street for Southcote Primary School.

The report explained that a petition response report that had been submitted to the previous meeting, had explained the potential benefits of a School Street at this location and officers had carried out the additional recommended action of writing to the Head Teacher to inform them of the receipt of that petition and to encourage engagement with the Council in developing a School Street project.

The report stated that on 28 May 2025 a petition had been formally submitted to the Council containing indications of support from 104 individuals.  The petition had been hosted online and had been created on 7 September 2024.  The full petition read as follows:

“I'm a resident of Southcote, Reading, UK, and I feel it's high time we addressed a growing concern in our community—the traffic situation near Southcote Primary School, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times. We find it nearly impossible to get in and out of our driveways on Silchester Road and Shepley Drive and it's become a daily struggle. Numerous near misses have been recorded, an alarming sign of the dangers that exist.

Sadly, the challenge has been amplified by the lack of support from the school. The ample car park that was originally built to be a drop-off point for parents remains off-limits. Instead, parents are forced to drop off children along the one-way road, causing a logjam that takes up to 15 minutes to clear.

School Streets, implemented successfully in other parts of the UK, have been shown to significantly reduce traffic congestion around schools and create a safer environment for all. They prioritise walking and cycling during school start and end times, making drop off and pick up less dangerous and congested.

We believe a School Street for Southcote Primary School would alleviate this ongoing issue, freeing our driveways and reducing near misses significantly, making the area safer for both residents and pupils. We ask the local council and school management to take into consideration our concerns and create a safer, smoother traffic system for the benefit of all.

We appeal to you, our fellow residents, parents and local community members to support this petition. Let's collectively ask for the establishment of a School Street for Southcote Primary School, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children and our community. Please sign this petition and help us make our voices heard.”

The report explained that officers were aware of some of the difficulties that some parents were causing for local residents at school drop-off and pick-up times and the report that had been submitted to the previous meeting had summarised some of the measures that had been introduced, or had been proposed, to try and mitigate these issues. 

The School Street initiative currently required schools to engage with and apply to implement a scheme.  There was a level of officer support that could be provided in the development of a scheme but, currently the implementation and operation required volunteers from the school and local community to marshal the closure and facilitate legitimate access/egress.  It was appreciated that finding and retaining volunteer marshals could be challenging and the Council remained appreciative of those who were currently supporting schemes.  Officers were reviewing potential options that could support such initiatives but, these would need to be considered in due course.  Currently, the Council was reliant on the school and community to apply and support a scheme and was not in a position to instruct or impose a scheme on a school.  It was not a restriction that was currently considered feasible for imposing on a school and the surrounding streets, therefore, officers did not consider that there were currently any further actions that they could take to address the request set out in the petition.

At the invitation of the Chair the petition organiser, Abba Lucas, addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the petitioners.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and Councillor Ennis proposed that recommendation (2) be changed so that he, Ward Councillors and officers were charged with continuing the dialogue with the school and local residents with the aim of finding a safe solution to the traffic situation near Southcote Primary School.

Resolved –

(1)      That the report be noted;

(2)      That Councillor Ennis, Ward Councillors and officers be charged with continuing the engagement with the school, to invite a School Street application, remain available to advise on that application with the aim of finding a safe solution to the traffic situation near Southcote Primary School;

(3)      That no public enquiry be held into the proposals.

(c)      Petition – Changes to Road-side Parking, Wokingham Road

The Sub-Committee considered a petition that had been received requesting changes to road-side parking on Wokingham Road. 

The petition had counted indications of support from 75 individuals.  The full petition read as follows:

“I am writing on behalf of the congregation of Earley Christian Fellowship (ECF), 153 Wokingham Road, Earley to express our dismay at the recent changes to the road-side parking on Wokingham Road. ECF has been based at 153 for over 40 years. For all this time, the church has relied on, and been able to park freely on Wokingham Road, albeit in the last 5 years subject to a 2 hour un-charged time limit and small charge thereafter.

The charging structure for Wokingham Road was carefully considered by the TMSC in 2019/20, in direct response to representations received (including from ECF) about the proposed metering. Issues considered by Committee at that time included the 'Pay to Pray' debate; the Council’s requirement to comply with the Equality Act 2010 (and hence any proposal not being discriminatory to persons of protected characteristics (eg by way of religion, age (young or old), disability or pregnancy)) and the inherent importance to ECF of an adequate free parking period on Wokingham Road. The tariff arrived at at that time was a 2 hour un-charged period, followed by 50p per hour thereafter. For most week-day activities at ECF, the 2 hour free period was sufficient for parking. On a Sunday morning however, when people are typically at ECF for longer, 3 hours used to cost 50p. This has now risen to £2.70 (including 20p RingGo admin charge) - a whopping 440% increase! The removal of the 2 hour free period and extortionate hike in price is completely contrary to the careful consideration by this Committee in 2019/20 of the effect of the tariff on ECF. Many of the ECF congregation do walk, cycle or use the bus to come to services and events, but those who are older, have young families or travel from further afield rely on there being easily accessible parking nearby without prohibitive cost. Removal of the 2 hour free period and huge increase in price could therefore be considered indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 (indirect discrimination can occur when there is a rule or policy that applies to everyone but disadvantages a person with a particular protected characteristic).

Furthermore, the disabling of the meters and the consequent requirement to use an app to park really is discriminatory against those without smartphones, those who aren't tech savvy (such as the elderly), or those who aren't local (eg if we have a funeral or wedding).

We would be grateful therefore if the meters on Wokingham Road could be returned to use and the previous tariff reinstated.”

At the invitation of the Chair the petition organiser, Bernadette Cowling, addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the petitioners.

Councillor Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, gave the following response to the petition:

“The petition from the Earley Christian Fellowship (ECF) cites a previous decision by the Transport Management Sub Committee (TMSC) in 2019/20 and the Equalities Act 2010.

The decision by the committee not to introduce charges at that time was in line with many other areas where there was limited free parking. The changes in the tariff structure in January 2024 removed the majority of these free periods. The change now brings the area into line with the rest of the borough. As background the free period in both Dunstall Place and Recreation Road was removed as part of the annual review of fees and charges. A petition from residents and businesses in the area around the car parks, protesting the removal of the free period was submitted to TMSC. Both petitions were rejected

The parking charge is now consistent across the borough treating all people and all religious groups in the same way. It would be difficult to provide a different approach at Wokingham road to support the ECF as this could be viewed as favouring one religious group over another.

As part of a review of the number and location of pay and display machines, it has been decided to install a card only pay and display machine close to the ECF. This will negate the need to use the Ring Go service, thereby avoiding the 20p convenience charge.

The Council’s overall move towards creating a net zero borough is not supported by free parking, even for a limited period. Pay and display charges are an effective and proven tool in encouraging behaviour change and by maintaining a free parking period, travellers would be encouraged to continue to use their vehicles, which is not something the Council wishes to encourage.”

The Sub-Committee discussed the petition and it was agreed that further investigation was needed particularly in relation to free parking and unification of parking in the area.

Resolved –  That the petition be noted.