OPINION: Letters to the editor of the Newbury Weekly News
How has this resulted in closure of the A4?
With regards to the closure of the A4 at Speen for several weeks – this is a major arterial transport route and a link that runs from London to Bath. Locally it also acts as a high-volume link from the west of West Berks into the hinterland, and vice versa.
The A4 from the A34 up to Reading is designated as part of England’s MRN – Major Road Network, albeit operated and maintained by West Berks Highways.
This proposed six-week closure, of which we were given 17 days’ notice, is being caused by a New David Wilson Development in Speen, on a site that has been allocated in the present Local Plan going back to 2012 and the new Local Plan 2023-2041, which is about to be accepted.
As Site Allocation HSA2 and now RSA2 the Site Allocation Policy fails to mention any of the important infrastructure requirements in respect of energy supplies.
The policy is more concerned with how it fits in the landscape and visual aspect, the heritage setting of the site, and the public rights of way. The road access and water supply do get a mention, but supplying energy sources does not.
These are admirable aspects to consider, however how it has gone through two Local Plan examinations in public by an experienced Planning Inspector, and various subsequent planning application approvals, and discharge of conditions, without most of the locals being aware of the impacts on the A4 seems rather odd.
I hope someone more expert than me from the local planning authority (LPA) will be able to explain how all this rigorous planning scrutiny over many years has resulted in the public and residents being given such a short notice period of such a major disruption when the site has been under discussion for many years?
Answers on a postcard please.
And, incidentally, last week the new West Berks Highways Local Transport Plan (LTP4) 2025-2040 has been issued.
A word search for the A4 shows new bus routes and preference for buses at traffic lights. However there is no volumetrics or mention of it coping with the additional traffic movements created by the 15,000+ dwellings that the Government has asked West Berks LPA to provide during the duration of this LTP4.
Another quick word search for anther ill-fated road to the west – the B4000 Ermin Street – also reveals no specific actions in the action plan despite the many complaints and queries raised at western area planning committees?
I think it would be advisable for anyone who is interested in our roads networks and longer-term capacity to complete the consultation on the LTP 2025-2040.
https://westberks.gov.uk/draft-local-transport-plan
Paula Saunderson
Newbury
Why a new gas main for Lapwing Green?
I was surprised when I read in this paper the TRO about the upcoming lengthy closure of the A4. But I am even more surprised that this is for a gas main supplying Lapwing Green.
Why is a new development of homes being built using gas for heating? Surely with the economies of scale of a development this size solar electric for heat pumps and/or night storage systems becomes affordable.
Liz Newell-Hart
Stockcross
Tell MP why Assisted Dying Bill matters
On Friday, May 16, Kim Leadbeater MP will take her Assisted Dying Bill to Parliament for the crucial Report Stage, followed by the all-important Third Reading on Friday, June 13.
These are pivotal moments in the journey toward a more compassionate assisted dying law – one that could bring relief and dignity to thousands of terminally-ill, mentally competent adults across the UK. During these stages, MPs will debate, vote on amendments, and ultimately decide whether the bill progresses.
Seventy-nine per cent of West Berkshire constituents support the right to choose an assisted death – according to an opinium poll from February 2024. Yet our MPs need to know this directly from you – their constituents.
Please write, call or arrange a meeting with your MP to tell them why this matters to you and your loved ones. Share your story.
Remind them that behind every statistic is a person – someone who deserves compassion, dignity and the right to choose.
Sara Fenton
Bulpit Lane, Hungerford
Reunion for Newbury Library workers
Newbury Library opened in the Wharf in July 2000, and to celebrate the 25th anniversary this July a special reunion is being organised.
Everyone who worked at Newbury Library – librarians, library assistants, shelving assistants, caretakers and volunteers, past and present – during those 25 years is invited to an afternoon tea at the library on Wednesday, July 30, from 2pm to 4.30pm.
As a contribution to the tea please bring with you a small offering of cakes/biscuits/scones etc, and if you have any photographs of the library since 2000 then do bring along for all to share on the day.
Please also spread the word to any past members of staff you know who don’t live locally.
Please confirm if you are able to attend to sjridley.sr48@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
Diane Coulson
Falkland Garth, Newbury
Put CCTV into car park to prevent fly-tipping
Today I carried out some recycling for items that can’t be recycled in the weekly collections.
I was appalled to see the mess that littered the area in the car park by Waitrose in Thatcham.
Not only was there considerable mess, but people seem unable to understand what can be recycled at this site.
This is fly-tipping and not the first time that this has happened.
I have heard mention that camera monitoring would help to keep the area clear and clean.
As a resident of Thatcham, I would urge the council to install CCTV as a matter of priority.
Mike Stevenson
Thatcham
More pedestrianisation in town is not needed
Once again, the annual competition for the most blindingly stupid idea is hotting up in the Liberal Democrats’ intellectually challenged think tank.
At the same time, their leader, Ed Davey, is doing party political broadcasts saying Lib Dem councillors listen to the people, our lot go and organise a trial run to extend pedestrianisation.
Their own consultation said unequivocally that it was not wanted. So much for listening to the people.
What is the benefit, and more importantly, is there any economic benefit to making it harder and more expensive for traders to get deliveries?
If deliveries are only allowed from 11pm to 10 am, chances are the drivers are going to be on night shift rates, and the shops will have to employ someone overnight to open up and let the delivery come in.
The pedestrianisation we have currently is bad enough in that you either have to pay quite a lot to get near the shops or walk a long distance with your goods.
We have an ageing population, and people are not going to walk that far with heavy shopping.
Then there’s the disabled. How is it going to work for them?
I think it is going to push people away from the town centre, and even more people will shop with Amazon.
There is a solution, however. If they are hell bent on a pedestrianised centre, why not just make it in the Market Place and return Bartholomew Street and Northbrook Street to two-way traffic, with say 30 minutes free parking along the sides? Just like it was when the shops flourished before pedestrianisation.
You see, we are not like the south of France, where people sit out in the evening warmth and sun.
As the evening sun goes to the west, Northbrook and Bartholomew Streets are already in the shade.
The part of the Market Place that may get evening warmth already has outside dining and seating.
All in all, it’s just wasting more money and killing off the town.
John Gotelee
London Road, Newbury
A chill down my spine over pedestrian plan
Reference ‘Hair-brained scheme being forced upon us’ (Newbury Weekly News, April 24).
I agree wholeheartedly with every word in Dave Shield’s letter… all so true.
I am especially concerned about the views of the majority being disregarded.
With a cold chill running down my spine, just one word comes into my mind… totalitarianism.
David Pritchard
West Mills, Newbury
Egg production factory should be turned down
The hamlet of Marsh Benham are battling the construction of an industrial-sized egg production unit, which is likely to bring them health issues, environmental damage to The Kennet, horrendous smells and a plague of flies of biblical proportions.
Sir Richard Sutton Ltd claim that the proposed egg production unit will initially house 32,000 chickens in state-of-the-art facilities and will be answering the need for securing UK food production.
Both these claims are correct but, this mammoth egg production unit does not need to be placed next to a hamlet who have been good neighbours to the estate.
The estate own thousands of acres of land and this facility does not need to be placed in an area of natural beauty, next to a hamlet of houses.
Sir Richard Sutton Ltd portrays itself to be a ‘welcoming’ family firm – it is not, it is a large business conglomerate.
They own major hotels in London and the chief executive comes from the retail, not agriculture, world.
There is intrinsically nothing wrong with this, but not the picture they are portraying.
Why have we not learned what the effects of micro particles into the atmosphere do?
Smoking, asbestos, sawdust, chicken dust, all these have been scientifically proven to produce major health issues in animals and humans and yet West Berkshire Council (WBC) is still considering this industrial egg production unit.
There are no employee benefits for West Berkshire from this proposed factory.
As locals know, the A4 is used as a relief road when the M4 and A34 has problems and so will add to the traffic congestion and potentially a major compensation claim will be coming down the lane for WBC from environmental and health damage.
When will people care enough to stand up and support this community?
I spoke to a neighbour about this and was told: “Not my problem, I am not getting involved.”
No doubt, that was what the Post Office workers faced when trying to battle against their employer and Fujitsu.
Hopefully sense will prevail and this proposed egg production unit will be moved to a spot where harm will not be done.
Naomi Hargreaves
Nalder Hill Road, Stockcross
Please help us to shape the future of Baughurst
I am writing to draw your readers’ attention to the ongoing Neighbourhood Planning process in the parish of Baughurst.
Planning everywhere is at a crossroads, and the future of this community is being shaped right now, so it’s crucial that everyone living and working here should play a part in how that future unfolds.
Drawing on the views of the whole community, to reflect a collective vision, the Neighbourhood Plan will set the direction for land use – from housing and development to the protection of our countryside and green spaces.
It’s an opportunity for us to ensure that Baughurst’s needs and character are respected, while planning for a sustainable growth that benefits everyone.
If you have a vested interest in Baughurst, either by living in the parish or working here, please get involved by visiting our website at https://www.baughurstnp.uk, clicking on ‘Have Your Say’ and filling out the survey.
This is our chance to have a direct influence on decisions that will affect the quality of life here for generations to come.
Your thoughts and opinions are essential in creating a plan that works for everyone in the community.
There will be no plan without you.
Additionally, volunteers are needed to gather views, to assist with events and to contribute to discussions.
So please make contact – every bit of help makes a difference.
This plan is about more than just development; it’s about making sure our community remains a place where we all feel connected, protected and supported.
Together, we can create a Baughurst that works for all of us.
Anne Ayres
Chairman of the Baughurst Neighbourhood Plan steering group
