Meeting with Rob Wilson

Hello, I met with Rob Wilson today. He seemed quite interested in the Council's propositions and agreed it seemed silly to make these changes prior to sorting out the parking. We discussed the park and ride that used to run and which ceased in 2008. We discussed the fact that staff (that are entitled to a permit) have to pay but aren't guaranteed a space and that there are some staff groups who aren't even entitled to a permit and so are left with no choice but to park on the road. We discussed the students who cannot afford to pay £12 a day for parking. We discussed the cancer patients, like my Dad, who have to attend regular appointments and undergo chemotherapy. I really felt like he listened to our concerns. I presented him with 6 pages of comments made by you on this petition and told him there were thousands more like it. The upshot of the meeting is that he is going to get in touch with Jean Callaghan, the CEO, at the RBH to find out more about the supposed planning permissions that have been denied by the Council. I've emailed John Redwood (as I live in his constituency) in the hope that he, too, will lend his voice to this issue. Meanwhile, Rob Wilson is going to act on behalf of the Reading East constituency. He is getting involved with our fight! I will keep you updated with any developments. Thank you again for all of your support. I really hope this will force the Council and the hospital to do something about the atrocious parking situation so that staff, patients and visitors do not have to endure the stress and anxiety anymore.