Theale to have its say on banning traffic from road
Closing Deadman’s Lane to vehicles would improve safety and encourage leisure pursuits
DEADMAN’S Lane in Theale is among the roads identified by West Berkshire Council for conversion into a motor vehicle-free ‘active street’ – and residents are being invited to have their say on the plans.
Under proposals unveiled last week, a large section of Deadman’s Lane would be sealed off with planters or bollards.
This would encourage its use as a cycling and walking route and could also enhance road safety around nearby Theale Green School.
A summary provided online outlines the scheme, saying: “We’re proposing to stop motor vehicles from entering Deadman’s Lane at all times to create a quiet route for recreational access to the countryside.
“We propose a physical closure using either bollards or planters north of its junction with Spring Gardens.
“From earlier engagements, residents and cyclists indicated a preference for more cycling and walking as a leisure pursuit in this location.
“As such, this scheme proposes a pilot to restrict motor traffic in this rural lane to create a safer, more attractive route to be used by those on foot and bicycles and reducing conflict with general vehicle traffic.”
The digital consultation runs through to April 23, after which obstructions may be installed in the
lane as part of a pilot scheme.
This will be reviewed after six to nine months.
In general, debate around the plans have focused on the extent of the lane’s use by cyclists and pedestrians.
Some villagers have noticed a lack of traffic along the road, and believe limiting its use would have little downside.
To illustrate this point, one consultee said: “In my experience the road is used by more pedestrians/cyclists than motorists.
“I have had near misses with cars who drive far too fast.
“Motorists can use other roads nearby that would take maybe 30 seconds longer.
“At very little inconvenience to them but a huge increase in safety for pedestrians, closing the road to cars is the logical choice.”
Others have challenged assumptions, however.
They argue that any lack of traffic – and any increase in the lane’s use by walkers and cyclists – is due to temporary
these lockdown conditions.
An opponent of the scheme said: “Once life is getting back to normal there won’t be hardly any pedestrian activity in Deadman’s Lane.
“I’ve been cycling that way for years and rarely met any vehicles or people.
“It’s only being used now because of the pandemic.
“People need to remember it is a road, a road without a pathway, so why should it be closed when there are other places that pedestrians can access?
“It is also used when traffic has to be diverted for various reasons.”
While welcoming the gist of the scheme, another member of the public expressed concern that horse riders were being left out.
They said: “Please consider all users and employ an inclusive classification of this route which will exclude motorised vehicles and include horse riders as well as cyclists and walkers.
“It is important to remember that horse riders are also vulnerable road users.
“No horse rider actually wants to be in a live road unless there is no alternative way to reach safer routes such as byways and bridleways.
“Help them please.”
To read about the proposal – and make a submission to the consultation – visit bit.ly/2ZMAG68
A DYNAMIC brother and sister duo from Tadley have raised more than £1,300 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of their grandfather, who died from the disease in May 2018.
Reece and Ashleigh Coker, aged 21 and 25, each ran 50 miles throughout January to raise money for the charity, which helped look after their grandfather John following his diagnosis with the condition.
The siblings, who went to The Hurst Community College, smashed their initial £150 target, raising £1,310 for the charity, with the proceeds going to the Reading and West Berkshire branch.
Ms Coker, who works for the emergency services, said the charity had looked after their grandfather when he needed it most.
She said: “He was so well looked after when it was most crucial.
“As he got more ill he needed more and more support and care.
“He couldn’t eat in the end, or speak or swallow, and the charity would come and help my nan Carol. She was his main carer.
“We were a very close family and he was a real family person – he always came to support my brother playing rugby and on Sundays we would always get together as a family.
“I was shocked at how much we raised – I don’t know how it crept up so quickly.
“People are so generous.
“The charity haven’t been able to do their normal fundraising so it was nice to give them a little boost.”
Ms Coker said they’d decided to do a running challenge after the gyms were forced to close due to coronavirus restrictions.
She added: “We both normally go to the gym and we were at a bit of a loss with the gyms being closed, so we decided to run instead.
“It was a bit of a challenge with the daylight because we were going when we finished work, and it was dark and cold, but we’re both quite sporty so we weren’t struggling.
“It was nice because we tried to go faster and longer.”
Mr Coker, who works at Progressive Technology in Newbury, making parts for Formula 1 cars, said the charity had made everything so easy for the family during their time of need.
He said: “We were so happy with how he was treated, especially at the West Berkshire branch, and how they made the process as easy as possible. “It was really well handled.
“It was just small things that made a big difference – they left the visits to us and they handled everything else.
“They were nice people that just wanted to help. Nice, nice people that just loved their jobs.
“When we decided to do this run we didn’t have to think twice about which charity to choose – it was always going to be them.”
On his grandfather, Mr Coker said: “There was nothing he wasn’t involved in, he loved everything to do with his grandchildren.
“Wherever I was playing rugby or football, home or away, he’d come. He loved it all.”
To donate, visit the https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ 699639-a-cause-i-care-about-needshelp?qid=ba9d492a124c2 d29320bfb75f6c08b28
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