SSE invited to meeting to discuss parking problems in Thatcham
Thatcham Town Council issues request
THATCHAM Town Council has asked SSE representatives to a meeting to discuss ongoing parking issues.
Residents in Siege Cross have frequently raised concerns about company vehicles parking irresponsibly in residential roads; notably Falmouth Way, Boscawen Way and Agricola Way.
One resident contacted the Newbury Weekly News to say that he and his young daughter had narrowly avoided a collision with a bus owing to poor visibility caused by parked cars.
SSE has an arrangement to use Thatcham Football Club as an overflow parking area.
Residents have vented their frustrations at the company for not operating a shuttlebus to run between the club and its Pipers Way facility.
Town councillors heard of other parking problems at a recent meeting.
One resident wrote saying that the parking was becoming ridiculous, with two cars written off in Scrivens Mead. They added that they had tried speaking with the company and putting up notices, but to no avail.
“We do not pay our council tax for company vehicles to be parked in our residential roads,” the resident said.
Another resident said that it was often difficult and dangerous to drive along Agricola Way, and for children walking to and from school.
“My concerns are the out-of-control speeding and now the business parking arrangements, formal or otherwise,” they said.
“Treated independently, they are a road safety risk to its users. Together, the risk is greater and makes for a potentially very dangerous environment.”
Town councillors have asked SSE to attend a meeting of its next planning and environment committee on Thursday.
Town and district councillor Rob Denton-Powell (Con, Thatcham South and Crookham) said he was concerned about children’s safety in Agricola Way and would be monitoring the situation with SSE.
SSE has said that it is aware of residents’ concerns and has reminded employees to park at the football ground.
It added that it is working on a range of options to reduce the number of vehicles coming to Thatcham.
