Election candidates sign pledge to 'protect the riverside'

So far 25 candidates for the Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) elections have signed the pledge set up by campaign group Save Our Ancient Riverside (SOAR) ahead of the elections on Thursday, May 6.

Those who have signed up have pledged to “protect the green corridor alongside our river Thames in the boroughs of Reading and Wokingham and to work with neighbouring authorities to enhance the biodiversity associated with the river environment”.

READ MORE: Failed MRT scheme cost Reading Borough Council more than £800k

SOAR successfully campaigned against plans for a segregated bus, cycle and walking route between Thames Valley Business Park and Napier Road which would have taken up green space by the River Thames.

WBC rejected the RBC-led plans for an East Reading MRT in 2018, although Reading council chiefs has not given up hope on reviving the proposal.

And thousands of people have signed a petition from SOAR which aims to protect the Thames Path from future development, urging WBC to designate the Thames Path east of the Kennet Mouth as protected Local Green Space.

READ MORE: Petition set up to protect Thames Path from development

SOAR said: “During the last year green space within Reading has been at a premium. It has never been more heavily used nor as greatly appreciated.

“Our precious riverside remains at risk from being turned into a bus lane linking to the unused Park and Ride built beside Thames Valley Park.

“The MRT was only the latest in a series of attempts to concrete over the riverside.

“Others include the Cross-Town Route in 1991 and Option D in 1996.

“SOAR calls on all the candidates in the Reading and Wokingham council elections to make it clear to the electorate where they stand on this issue.”

PICTURED: The green area SOAR campaigners are concerned about

So far, the following candidates have signed the pledge:

Reading:

Abbey             

Howard Darby, Green

Anne Thompson, Lib Dem

Battle             

Sarah Watchman, Green

John Grout, Lib Dem

Caversham                 

Sally Newman , Green

Church                       

Kathryn McCann, Green

Katesgrove                

Louise Keane, Green

Margaret McNeill, Lib Dem

Kentwood                  

Anthea West, Green

Mapledurham                       

Chris Burden, Lib Dem

Brent Smith, Green

Minster                      

Isobel Hoskins, Green

Norcot                        

Richard Walkem, Green

Park                

Brenda McGonigle, Green

Peppard                     

Doug Cresswell, Green

Redlands                    

David McElroy, Green

Francis Jakeman, Lib Dem

Southcote                  

Asad Feroz, Green

Thames                      

Danny McNamara, Green

Jo Ramsay, Lib Dem

Tilehurst

Gabriel Berry-Khan, Green

Whitley                      

Ian Westby, Lib Dem

Wokingham:

Bulmershe and Whitegates                        

Samuel Langlois, Green

Charvil                       

Kathy Smith, Green

Twyford        

Martin Coule, Green

Additionally, the following councillors (who are not running at this election) have signed the pledge:

Reading:

Park

Josh Williams, Green

Rob White, Green

Redlands

Jamie Whitham, Green

Wokingham:

Bulmershe and Whitegates

Shirley Boyt, Labour

Carl Doran, Labour