I visited the Henry Street Garden Centre today to see the exhibition of possible routes for the Arborfield bypass.
This is an issue which will be decided by Wokingham Borough Council, thought numerous constituents have written to me about it. I urge all those who have not done so to complete the Consultation document and put it in the freepost or leave it at Henry Street with their view. The Council will evaluate all the replies before making a decision.
Many in the village agree with the Council that a bypass would be a good idea. The village street is now heavily used by traffic, including large vehicles that do not wish to stop and are intrusive to those who live and shop in the centre.
The Council is consulting on four different routes. Their preferred route, Route A, is the cheapest and shortest.It would take traffic close to village properties, and is the least popular with the constituents who have written to me about the proposals.
Both Option B and D, sensibly priced proposals, take the traffic further away from the village and have their supporters.
Option C is considerably dearer, requires the construction of the Nine Mile Ride extension as well, and does not score highly for diverting traffic onto it. It seems unlikely to be adopted.
The Council’s own provisional evaluation rates Option B higher than Option D on diverting traffic, and better environmentally. If the replies I have received are representative this is likely to be preferred by people responding, in preference to the Council’s Option A. Although the Council scores Option A more highly overall, it does affect more properties adversely which does not seem to be taken into account sufficiently in the Council’s evaluation so far.
I am passing on the overall response I have received to the Council to help them with their judgement as part of their consultation.