Rob joins Clayfield Copse park and ride protest

Rob joined local people from across the community on Sunday to protest against plans for a “micro park and ride” scheme at Clayfield Copse. The protest, which was organised by Conservative Councillors Richard Willis and Jane Stanford-Beale, was joined by footballers from Caversham AFC, Caversham Park Tennis Club, Residents’ Association members, dog walkers and other car park users.

Rob spoke to the crowd of around 100 people to express his support for the local campaign and to thank Richard and Jane for organising the event.

The Council plans to introduce a park and ride scheme run by NCP, from Monday to Saturday with 2 hours free parking and £4 thereafter and with the parking ticket doubling up as a bus ticket.

However, Cllr Willis raised objections at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 11 June, pointing out that the car park was potholed and that the scheme, as currently presented would penalise existing leisure users.

A petition has been organised by the local Conservatives against the plans and has already attracted several hundred signatures.

Speaking at the protest Rob said: “I would like to thank Conservative Councillors Richard Willis and Jane Stanford-Beale for organising today’s meeting. The Council have not consulted anyone on this proposal or the one at Palmer Park. I am delighted to see so many people here today and I hope that we can get the Council to see sense.“

Cllr Willis said: “Thank you to everyone for coming today. Please do what you can to support our campaign against this Park and Ride plan at Clayfield Copse. This is the wrong place for park and ride and as proposed it will heavily penalise many existing users of the car park. We want the proposal substantially amended or preferably thrown out altogether.“