The proposals are being paused

Last night I attended the Traffic Management Sub-Committee at the Reading Council Civic Offices. It was one of the busiest meetings they’ve had for a while. I presented the change.org petition on behalf of the 8,466 people who have signed it. I stressed that the petition has not just been signed by staff; it has been signed by patients, visitors and residents. Councillors Jones and Absolom requested the proposals, of introducing resident permits and pay and display in the Hospital and University area, are paused. They will be reviewed, following consultation, in September at the next meeting. The Council have agreed the pause. Please note, they are paused, not abandoned or shelved. Like I have said before, the problem of parking in the area is complicated by a number of issues; the RBH, the university, commuters and houses of multiple occupancy. Whilst we have not succeeded in stopping the proposals completely, for the first time in the five years that these proposals have been bandied about, the RBH are interested in and getting involved in reaching a solution. I do believe this is down to every single person who signed the petition. Frustratingly, the Council only counts the petition as one objection despite me sending a list of signatures and comments. However, I believe that due to the interest in the petition and situation by the media, this has put pressure on Council and RBH to respond to the objections. The RBH and the Council cannot ignore the voices of 8,466 people. Councillor Tony Page attended a meeting with representative from the RBH on Monday 13th June. He said that this is a “major change of recognition by the RBH”. Both the Council and the RBH recognise they have a “part to play” and are showing a commitment to work together. Some of the suggestions from the meeting on Monday include: • Using Mereoak park and ride to provide a service to the RBH • Discounts and salary sacrifice schemes for staff using public transport • Car park improvements • Working with Reading Buses to improve services I still want to work against the introduction of the proposed 625 pay and display spaces. I think the 2 hour slots are needed; they were a lifeline to me when I visited my Dad and I know they are a lifeline to some of you too. I believe they need to keep the 2 hour slots instead of bringing in the pay and display and I will be making this suggestion should there be a working party (and I will try and be involved in that too!). I think the pay and display would penalise those who need to visit the RBH, be that as a patient or a visitor. Councillors Hopper and Duveen both recognised the hospital staff, patients and visitors in their comments and voiced concerns that whilst the proposals will be revisited in September, the RBH might not be functioning in line with the new suggestions thus leaving staff, patients and visitors at a loss. Hopper also recognised that whilst the Councillors represent people in their wards, the 5,000 staff members who are “valuable to the town” and countless patients and visitors who visit the hospital might fall outside this area. But that doesn’t mean they can be ignored. I must admit, I felt relieved that someone recognised that. I know it sounds obvious to us but making sure we are heard by the voices with the power was crucial to me. Going forward, can I ask that you email the Councillors in your area and make suggestions for improving the proposals? I have saved a copy of all of the comments and signatures on the petition. So that’s me signing off and closing the petition. Thank you to every single one of you for signing and sharing this petition, for commenting on the various newspaper pieces, for phoning in to the BBC Radio Berkshire session and for your various words of encouragement. I will try my hardest to be involved in the working party so that all of this hard work is not in vain and we can reach a new solution that benefits us all as much as possible. I think the biggest thing to take from this is that the RBH and Council have recognised that the situation as it is cannot continue and that the RBH is now getting involved to improve services for their staff, patients and visitors. You can see the meeting here: http://player.companywebcast.com/readingboroughcouncil/20160615_1/nl/player