Conservatives unveil 'ambitious' election manifesto

Tories pledge to improve roads and more affordable homes if re-elected

RENOVATING Newbury’s Wharf, improving schools, tackling congestion and providing affordable housing are just some of the pledges unveiled by West Berkshire Conservatives in their ‘most ambitious’ manifesto ahead of the local elections in three weeks time.

One of the Tories’ key aims as outlined in the manifesto, is to support and encourage the delivery of 1,000 affordable homes across the district by 2020.

The group has also pledged to keep investing in school improvement, saying it wants all secondary schools to be rated “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted and for district performance to be in the top 10 per cent in the country for GSCE achievement ().

It also wants all primary schools’ Key Stage 2 SATS results to show at least 75 per cent of pupils achieving level four and above in all subjects.

Another key aim is the regeneration of Newbury and Thatcham and, over the next four years, to resurface at least 145 miles of roads and give higher priority to estate and unclassified roads.

The Conservatives say they will press ahead with plans to regenerate the London Road Industrial Estate and commission plans to renew the Market Street area of Newbury for homes, car parking and a new setting for the railway and bus stations.

The group also wants to ‘renew’ Thatcham Town Centre and develop plans to renew the Wharf and Waterside Building in Newbury.

As part of the Wharf development, they say they will review the working of the Park Way Bridge.

If re-elected, the party has pledged to continue focusing on reducing traffic congestion, improve the cycle network, keep car parking charges competitive with neighbouring councils. and convert all the street lights to LED in the next four years.

The manifesto states that the Tories would adopt the Living Wage by the end of this term and sooner ‘if finances allow it’.

Another promise is to protect the 700 miles of public rights of way in West Berkshire and to continue to safeguard the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It is also the Conservative Party's intention to replace the derelict Taceham House in Thatcham with an affordable homes development and to continue to support John O’Gaunt School in Hungerford to become the ‘school of choice’ for all pupils.

The Tories added that they would minimise any council tax rises and invest £110m in the district.

West Berkshire Council leader, Gordon Lundie, said: “This is a manifesto which focuses on three of the things people need to be able to enjoy a good life – jobs, education and housing.

“It is a very ambitious manifesto, but it is right to be ambitious for this area.

“Pledges should be meaningful. If politicians say they are for something, they should clearly explain how they aim to achieve it.

“We need to set clear targets to achieve the very best for West Berkshire.”