Recently, the Labour-controlled Reading Borough Council has announced a 16-week closure of the public subway beneath Reading station to undertake repairs and complete works to remove the often-vandalised ceiling tiles. Despite the overdue improvements, the timing and duration of the closure, along with the absence of a suitable diversion route, render the impact on town centre residents unacceptable.

The proposed works coincide with the upcoming Reading Festival – any delay risks causing chaos for festivalgoers and creating an unwelcoming atmosphere in the town centre upon their arrival. Moreover, the diversion route is over FOUR TIMES longer than the subway route it replaces, leading pedestrians on a winding journey underneath the filthy, noisy, and cramped Vastern Road underpass, which is in desperate need of thorough cleaning.

The Reading Liberal Democrats are advocating for:

a shorter, cleaner, diversion route for all, using the Reading station overbridge
a shorter period of works to reduce the risk of collision with Reading Festival.
Liberal Democrat candidate for Abbey ward and Reading Central parliamentary candidate, Henry Wright, said:

“There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for improvements to the Reading station underpass, however the diversion and closure show, once again, Reading Labour’s disdain for walkers and cyclists, and users of the town centre.

“The length of this closure and the unpleasant diversion route would never be foisted upon motorists in the same way. I am demanding the council think again – reduce the length of the closure and put in place a much nicer diversion route for visitors and residents of Abbey ward alike.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Thames ward, Jo Ramsay, said:
“It is great that work is now being planned to upgrade the tunnel, and not before time. As someone who lives on the Caversham side of Thames Ward and commutes by foot through the underpass every day, I have been shocked to see ceiling plates falling off and netting hanging down from the roof in there without urgent action to fix.”

“But 16 weeks is a shockingly long period for the tunnel, which is now a main thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists, to be out of action. The council needs to explain what work is planned in there and work with the contractors to minimise the time the tunnel is out of action for residents north and south of the river.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Emmer Green, Pieter De Boiserie, said:
“While I am pleased to finally see the council get to action on a crucial piece of infrastructure to aid vulnerable road users to pass safely into the town centre, it speaks again of Labour’s inability to get things done. How something like this can take 16 weeks and cost up to £400,000 is incomprehensible to many residents.

“On top of this, the slightest delay with this project will mean it will clash with Reading Festival and cause unprecedented amounts of chaos around the station. I urge the council to review this and try to reduce the time and cost of this project as much as possible – and create a better alternative diversion route away from the dangerous Vastern Road underpass.”

In the recent Reading local elections, the Labour Party’s vote seems to have hit a standstill, as they maintained their council majority with 25 seats, the same figure as in previous elections. Despite their success in reclaiming the Emmer Green seat with Daya Pa Singh, the party faced a setback with the loss of their sole remaining seat in Katesgrove to the newly elected Green councillor, Kate Nikulina.

This stagnation in the Labour vote could be attributed to various factors, including voter disillusionment with national party policies, local issues, or shifts in demographics within the constituency & war of Gazza. The loss of the Katesgrove seat may indicate changing attitudes or preferences among constituents in that area, potentially reflecting dissatisfaction with Labour’s representation or a growing appeal of the Green Party’s platform.

Contrastingly, the challenging circumstances faced by the Tory party did not seem to translate into electoral gains. Despite an increase in Conservative numbers in areas like Abbey ward, it was insufficient to secure victory. This suggests that while there may be pockets of increased support for the Tories, it was not widespread enough to significantly impact the overall election outcome. Furthermore, the Tories managed to retain a similar level of voter support overall, indicating resilience in maintaining their base despite prevailing challenges.

Several key factors have driven this change: most recently, the substantial student population from the esteemed University of Reading and the Muslim community, both visibly disheartened by Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on the Gaza conflict. Moreover, the current Green Councillor Doug Cresswell and Councillor Louise Keane from the area have actively engaged with and supported the community, earning widespread appreciation.

In last night’s local election, the sole remaining non-Green seat in this ward was claimed by the new Green councillor, Kate Nikulina, solidifying the Green Party’s presence in the ward.

Katesgrove, much like other areas with a large student presence, has historically leaned towards progressive values, often aligning with the Labour Party’s stances on education, social justice, and healthcare. However, the transient nature of student residency and the diversity of political views within this demographic pose a challenge for maintaining unwavering support.

The University of Reading, renowned for its academic excellence, attracts students from diverse backgrounds and ideologies. While many students may resonate with Labour’s traditional values, others may be drawn to alternative political movements or disenchanted with mainstream politics altogether. This diversity of opinion within the student body presents a unique challenge for political parties seeking to secure their support.

In addition, the Muslim community in Katesgrove, like elsewhere in the UK, constitutes a significant portion of the electorate (11% much higher than the town average) whose concerns deserve attention. Recent events, particularly the Gaza conflict, have evoked strong reactions within the Muslim community & students with many expressing discontent with Sir Keir Starmer’s perceived stance on the issue. While Labour has historically championed human rights and international justice, criticisms of the party’s response to the Gaza conflict have struck a chord with some voters in Katesgrove.

The emergence of the Green Party in the area signals a shifting tide for what was once a stronghold of loyal voters.