A NEW seating area is being constructed in Woodley town centre, following concerns that the tree-roots may cause a trip hazard.

The new seating area is expected to be completed by the end of next week, placed to surround a new community garden in the same space.

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “We are working to help kickstart our local economy during Wokingham Borough’s response to the pandemic and investing in town centres and high streets like Woodley’s is one of the ways to do this.

“This will also solve a historic problem with tree roots in that area of the precinct as well as creating an area for the community to enjoy for many years to come.”

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In order to create this new seating space, outside Waitrose, the current paving slabs have been removed and replaced with a raised community garden allowing the tree roots to grow freely, while not causing uneven terrain, proving a trip hazard.

Councillor Keith Baker, leader of the town council, said: “This long standing issue of trip hazards has now been addressed by a highly innovative solution.

“For Woodley residents it not only makes this area safer but it also provides a visually attractive scene including new seating areas for them to sit down and rest, meet friends or simply to eat their lunch."

The plants and vegetation to be installed in the garden has yet to be decided with current thoughts of a school community garden, a variety of grasses or even the use of moss to absorb carbon from the atmosphere or a mixture of both.

Whatever is chosen will be easy to maintain.

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Brian Fennelly, Woodley Town Centre Manager said: “This is the third piece of the regeneration of the public space in the precinct and will enhance the area considerably.

"Woodley Town Centre Management have been concerned for some time about the uneven surface around the trees in the town centre and while we don’t want to see the trees removed, the proposed plans for the garden are a good solution to the current trip hazards.

"We are also keen to get active involvement from the local community with planting and maintenance of the garden."