Network Rail Update on Frouds Lane Bridge

Many Aldermaston ward residents will be aware of ongoing plans for the electrification of the railway between Reading and Newbury, which involves some serious engineering work.

Frouds Lane bridge and engineering works

 However, the disruption caused to rail and road travel has also become a regular feature of local life.

Frouds Lane is closed

So it has been a relief to many to hear the latest progress report from Network Rail on the works.

Accordingly, NR reports that the final pre-cast bridge units were installed in place over the course of the weekend of 18/19 January, which allowed the concrete bridge deck to be set. This major structural stage was completed on 4th February.

The next steps are the waterproofing of the deck, followed by installation of the bridge aproaches and stabilisation of the road embankments.

Many thanks to Carrillion Team for the update - let's hope the work continues successfully apace, so that normality can return and we can enjoy the improvements!

Notice Anything New?

Thanks to Midgham Parish Council a new noticeboard has been provided outside the Village Hall.

The noticeboard will be regularly updated with forthcoming events and community information - including the monthly coffee mornings.

The next two will take place at 10am on Wednesday 18th December and Wednesday 29th January... maybe we'll see you there!

Royal County of Berkshire Show 2013

Last weekend was the Royal County of Berkshire Show at the Chieveley Showground.

A crowd of more than 10,000 attended each day for the highlight of the Berkshire agricultural year, but it is much more than a trade display - it is truly a celebration of county life.

Together with Judith Bunting, LibDem PPC for Newbury, we spent a fun afternoon getting blisters as we traipsed across the massive site eating classic ice cream in the sun and meeting local residents.

The range of stalls and events was remarkable, encompassing entertainment and education, through to commercial and charity exhibitors.

If you've not been before we recommend it, there's something for everybody!

Check out our photo album below:

 

Find out more at:

• Web: newburyshowground.co.uk
•  Twitter: @Berkshire_show
• Facebook: Newbury Showground

Aldermaston & Wasing Show - Saturday 7th September

Come to the 71st Aldermaston & Wasing Show and celebrate your local spirit at the Old Mill, Aldermaston, from 2pm!

Attractions include 104 competitions, vintage car, craft, ferret and falconry displays, among many others... while volunteers to help out are always welcomed (see contact details above).

You can be sure of a good time, so why not come along - and maybe you'll bump into an old friend!

Local News: Controversial Gravel Extraction Application Passed

A controversial proposal to extract 200,000 tonnes of gravel per year for the next 12 years from the Kennet Valley bed between Woolhampton and Aldermaston has been given the green light despite strong local opposition.

Gravel, the pits!

173 acres of land will be dug up by aggregates giant Lafarge before being re-landscaped. Ground level will be reduced by several metres, eventually allowing for new angling lakes to be created.

The mineral itself will supply a local factory, supporting 75 jobs which would otherwise be lost when the Midgham quarryworks are exhausted.

Complaints centred around increases in lorry traffic on road access to the site described as 'inadequate', potentially harming road surfaces, damaging listed buildings located next to rural routes, as well as increasing danger for pedestrians from speeding lorries and adding to noise levels.

Meanwhile additional concerns about the potential for flooding caused by the impact on underground water flows were dismissed on the grounds that this would be mitigated by increases in surface water storage capacity.

The application has been a long time coming - it originated following consultation on the Preferred Options for the Joint Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework in September 2007 and submission of a new Core Strategy on 27th February 2009, and lapsed last year - which raises the question whether WBC is abiding by its own Statement of Community Involvement.

Local LibDem campaigner, James Spackman, commented,

"The determination of West Berkshire Council to push ahead with unpopular plans without making any concessions gives the clearest possible indication that Tories are not listening."

James added,

"The failure of West Berkshire Conservatives to agree a new minerals and waste plan means exclusion sites have lapsed and they are powerless to save protected areas. No wonder residents are angry!"

• Find out more about gravel deposits in West Berkshire
• Find out more about West Berkshire Development Plans

Brimpton Airshow - Sunday 9th June 2013

In two weeks time it's the annual Brimpton Airshow, to be held at Brimpton Airfield.

It's in aid of a great cause - the Air Ambulance rescue service - so why not drop in for the Fly-In?

More information about Brimpton Airfield
More Information about Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust

What's Going On...

According to the local Parish Plans published in 2007 (Aldermaston, Brimpton, Woolhampton) good communication about news and events in the ward was a key aim to ensure healthy village life and encouraging positive community engagement.

As a result it was decided a concerted effort would be made to 'improve the quality, circulation and amount of information that is available' to villagers. This included, among other things, better utilisation of the Parish websites and the provision of new Parish noticeboards, where appropriate.

Below are two of the new noticeboards...

Noticeboard at Douai Park

Noticeboard at A4 lay-by

Sadly, these noticeboards aren't exactly overflowing with notices, and several residents have passed comments to your Focus Team that it remains difficult to find out what's happening and how to get involved.

It is one of the pleasures of living here to see the high level of popular activities which are supported by the community relative to the population size, and it can often be a surprise for newcomers and less well connected residents to discover the wide variety on offer.

Among forthcoming events Woolhampton will celebrate Coronation Day on 2nd June at Douai Park (with proceeds going towards the Pavilion Restoration Fund) and Midgham will hold its annual Village Fete on 31st August.

More regular events to be found in the Parish magazines include everything from the Women's Institute meetings, Baby & Toddler's and Senior's groups, Tea Dances, Coffee Mornings and Lunch Club, various exercise groups, walking tours and indoor sports, all the way through to art classes and the monthly village markets.

LibDems support initiatives to develop vibrant local communities, and we want to see resources utilised to best effect so that everyone can be catered for.