Post Office is another misguided proposal

Barely had councillor Philip Mirfin, executive member for regeneration, finished extolling the confidence there is in “new” Wokingham’s future than yet another of its long-standing businesses, namely the Post Office, who clearly do not share the council’s enthusiasm, declared its intention, following a period of consultation – euphemism for diversionary tactic? – to shut up shop and move in with WH Smith (other newsagents are available).

The present, often long, delays experienced at counters in the existing, iconic, custom-built Broad Street premises, particularly during peak periods, can be bad enough. Imagine what it would be like the more cramped surroundings of WH Smith.

Surely another misguided proposal in the making, leaving one of the town centre landmarks the target for demolition or conversion to “top-end, town dwelling” flats, sorry apartments.

There appears to be little urgency on the part of Wokingham town or borough councils to carry out the promised safety audit of the botched refurbishment of Market Place, or to put right areas of concern.

While some may claim it was never the intention to encourage heavy goods vehicles to use the town centre, they most certainly do and in increasing numbers.

Just the other morning, at the narrowest section of Peach Street, a pedestrian was inches away from being struck by the wing mirror of a passing lorry. All it needed was for a young child to wander from the pavement and the consequences do not bear thinking about.

...And to close. Towards the end of last year, Wokingham Borough Council commissioned a mural to be painted

(at taxpayers’ expense) on the walls of the Woosehill underpass, knowing full well it would become the target of paint-spraying vandals.

In spite of using a protective varnish, it has on a number of occasions had graffiti scribbled across its surface.

The last in this series of attacks was reported, at the time of writing, four weeks ago. It took those four weeks for it to be sorted.

The underpass has become a poorly lit slum, used as a makeshift urinal, littered with bottles, cans and discarded food wrappers.

If anyone is anti-Wokingham, it’s the inmates of Shute End Towers.