Call for free parking in Theale as High Street is dug up

Southern Gas Networks is set to begin its £222,000 upgrade of gas pipes in the village, which is expected to take twenty weeks to complete.
The majority of the work will be carried out in High Street, with temporary traffic lights scheduled to be installed at the junctions with Hoad Way and Station Road in three weeks.
Liberal Democrat district councillor for Theale, Alan Macro is worried that the work will affect trade in the village and has called on West Berkshire Council to provide free parking.
He said: "I am particularly concerned about the loss of parking spaces that the work will cause. The shops in the High Street rely on passing trade. If customers cannot find somewhere to park in the High Street, they are likely to shop elsewhere.
“I have therefore asked West Berkshire Council to provide temporary free parking in the two car parks."
West Berkshire Council spokesman, Keith Ulyatt said: “In order to make a decision, we need all the facts about the work that is going to take place, and we are waiting on Southern Gas Networks to provide these details to us.”
He added that a decision should be made on whether free parking will be made available in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, Mr Macro hoped the work would be completed before Theale’s Christmas light switch-on event, which is due to take place on December 1.
However, spokeswoman for Southern Gas Networks, Claire Buchanan said the work will take an estimated 20 weeks to complete.
She added: “The existing gas mains and services are reaching the end of their useful life and will be replaced with modern plastic pipe, which has a minimum lifespan of 80 years, as part of our ongoing mains replacement programme to maintain the safety and reliability of the gas network.
“We have worked closely with West Berkshire Highways to plan this project in such a way as to keep disruption to residents, businesses and road-users to a minimum. We will continue to work with them, the local authority and the local community throughout the course of the project.
“Access will be maintained for shops, businesses, residents, and deliveries during the duration of the project. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. All shops and businesses will remain open as usual.
“To allow for the manoeuvre of equipment and for everyone's safety, it will be necessary to suspend some parking bays around the works area, which will change as the project progresses. We will make every effort to keep as many parking bays as possible open for shoppers and businesses.”
Southern Gas Networks has a compensation scheme in place for any business in Theale which suffers a genuine loss of trade due to the works.
For more information, visit the major projects section on the gas supplier’s website at www.sgn.co.uk