Last night at the Full Council meeting Councillor Tony Page announced that the Labour administration are abandoning their plans for micro park and ride schemes at both Clayfield Copse and Palmer Park.
Yesterday prior to the public meeting, Cllr Jane Stanford-Beale and Richard Willis met with the Head and Deputy Head of Highways and Transport to make the case against the plans. They also handed over 45 objections to the plans based on the emails we have received from local people. At the public meeting last night over 100 people reinforced the range of reasons not to proceed and the strength of feeling amongst the community. That message was certainly taken on board by the Deputy Head of Highways and Transport.
At the Council meeting the President of Reading Athletic Club presented a petition against the proposal at Palmer Park and it was in response to this that Cllr Page announced the U-turn for both sites. The final decision will be made at the Cabinet meeting on 16 July but Cllr Page has made it clear what the decision will be!
We have no doubt that the combined efforts of everyone made the administration realise that they had not properly thought this through and failed to consult people properly.
Thank you to all the local residents for supporting for our campaign to protect Clayfield Copse. It proves what can be achieved when elected Councillors, local groups and societies, and local residents all work together.