We are inviting residents and businesses across West Berkshire to take part in our draft Local Transport Plan survey by providing your views on our draft priorities and objectives to improve transport facilities and travel options.

As a Local Authority, we have a statutory duty to publish a Local Transport Plan (LTP), which contains a strategy and an intervention plan.

We have made good progress in delivering our current LTP, which was adopted in 2011. However, there have since been major changes that have impacted on transport.

The 2021 Census has shown us that the number of people living in West Berkshire has increased, as has the number of people aged 65 years and over. The Covid-19 pandemic brought significant changes to how we live and work, including being able to work from home, and accelerated changes in online shopping. There is also a greater importance being placed on emissions from transport and how changes to our behaviours such as walking, cycling and increased leisure time help our physical and mental wellbeing.

The LTP has been developed in parallel with the emerging Local Plan, and is also supported by a number of strategies designed to help deliver our priorities, including the  Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle Strategy, and the Bus Service Improvement Plan.
Over the past year, we have worked to understand travel patterns, trends and emerging opportunities resulting in our draft LTP focussing on the following priorities:

• creating places for people,
• providing sustainable access for all,
• decarbonising transport, and
• supporting sustainable growth.

Cllr Richard Somner, Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside at West Berkshire Council, said: “We are revising our Local Transport Plan to make it relevant to the challenges and opportunities we face today to provide a modern transport system for West Berkshire. 

“How we travel is influenced by how close we are to the services we need, such as shops, doctors and schools, why we need to travel, and the quality of transport and digital infrastructure to allow us to get to where we want to go. 

“Our draft LTP takes into account the different travel needs of the people who live, work, visit, and learn in our district. Strategic road and rail corridors, for example mainline railway and the M4, which play an important role for businesses and residents, will also be considered in the draft LTP.
“We want as many people as possible to take part and feedback your views on our draft LTP. We want to know if you think that we are focussing on the right areas, if we are taking individual needs of the communities into consideration, and if there is anything we have missed.”

Additional information and how to have your say are on our dedicated LTP survey page.

Please allow 10-15 minutes to complete the survey and note we need your views by midnight on Wednesday 22 March 2022, when the survey closes.

If you have any questions or require a different version of the survey, please email our Transport Policy Team on: ltp@westberks.gov.uk.
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You can find out more about our Transport policies on our dedicated Transport page.

As we head into Spring with longer days and, hopefully, some better weather, many of you might be starting to plan day trips. Did you know that you can have a fascinating and free tour around the palace of Westminster?
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The tour takes in a number of historical areas including the Chambers of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the State Rooms, Central Lobby and the historic Westminster Hall.

Tours are conducted by Parliament’s expert guides and take around 75 minutes. The guides highlight some of Parliament’s dramatic history, explain the work of Parliament and set out ways to get involved and engaged with the democratic process. Whenever possible, I like to meet constituents at the beginning or end of their tour so that I can answer any questions.

I have a programme of tours arranged over the next few months as follows:

Monday 20 February at 11:00
Monday 6 March at 11:00
Monday 20 March at 11:00
Monday 17 April at 11:00
Monday 24 April at 11:00
Friday 12 May at 15:00
Monday 5 June at 11:00
Monday 19 June at 11:00

The list is constantly updated on my website and if any of the dates aren’t suitable, alternative dates can also be booked directly with my office.

It is an absolute privilege to work here and I always enjoy welcoming constituents for visits, including school groups and local organisations. I would love to see constituents from your parish and bookings can be made as follows:

Website     https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/events
Phone     01635-551070
Email     laura.farris.mp@parliament.uk
Mail     Laura Farris MP, Park Street Offices, Park Street, Newbury, RG14 1EA

A Home Emergency Plan can be used as a vital tool in your household (or to help another family member who does not live with you) to be prepared in an emergency situation, like a power cut. 

For more information see download below.​

The winter edition of Upstream magazine has been published, featuring Welford Parish Council and Marsh Common. It can be downloaded below.