News
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Wokinghaam BC have created a short video that explains the Covid19 support network and how to access it
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Wokingham BC have asked us to make you aware of the information in the attached email they have sent
 2020-04-22 WBC.pdf |
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Ian Overton, the long standing Treasurer of the BVRA, has just “retired” after nearly 20 years in the role. In recognition of his sterling support of the residents’ association, we bought Ian a retirement gift of a terracotta planter (pictured).
I first met Ian when he joined the BVRA Committee in the autumn of 2001 when he took over from one of the founders of the residents’ association, Pam Edwards. He has been a much valued member of the committee ever since.
One of the first events for which he had to hold the purse strings was the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations in Barkham in 2002. Over the years he has offered guidance to the committee on matters relating to the BVRA’s finances and has been much trusted in these matters. He has kept the BVRA on a sound financial footing to ensure we have a “fighting fund” if that proves necessary, whilst supporting spending money on “special events” for Barkham such as the 2012 celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
In recent years he has been seen at BVRA social events running the bar with his wife, Evelyn. He has also been an ever-present at the popular Carols in Park just before Christmas, directing traffic and collecting donations for the band.
When Ian announced his wish to step down, we were very pleased that Alison Gouge came forward to take on the Treasurer role and they have just completed the handover. Our Chairman, Alan Dixon, welcomed Alison in the spring edition of the Barkham Newsletter available here
I am sure Barkham residents will want to join me in wishing Ian many thanks for his service to the BVRA and best wishes for his "retirement".
Stewart Richardson
BVRA Committee Member
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I understand that this is a difficult and worrying time for a lot people as we all make significant adjustments to our daily lives to follow the measures set out by the government. These measures have been put in place to stop the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.
You will be aware that the police were given new powers to help reinforce these measures and whilst these are an option to us, we will only use them as a last resort. Officers will routinely be stopping members of the public and vehicles to ensure the Government’s advice is being adhered to so please don’t be alarmed if you are stopped and work with us if you are told to return home.
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Barkham Bridge – update from John Kaiser, WBC councillor for Barkham (07714192352)
The Barkham Bridge project consists of a new bridge structure across the Barkham Brook and approximately 300 metres of associated carriageway realignment. The current Barkham Bridge is a highway structure along B3349 Barkham Road, operating on a priority give-way system. It will be retained and be converted to a shared footway/cycleway, connecting the sections of footway to the east and west. The new bridge is to be constructed south of the existing Barkham Bridge within private land. The improvements are in order to accommodate continuous flow 2-way traffic which are needed in order to alleviate a potentially dangerous choke point and help ease congestion.
As part of the project scope, the council have included the refurbishment of the existing highway drainage system leading up to School Road. In addition, the project team is aware of the condition of the existing Thames Water main on Barkham Road and will likely have to divert a section of this as part of the bridge works. They will explore opportunities with Thames Water to look at the water main beyond the project scope, particularly, in light of the burst pipes in mid-August 2018. This means the site will occupy a considerably larger footprint than would be expected just to deliver the bridge.
Confirmation from the Planning Authority in February 2017 concluded that the improvements were considered permitted development under the Town & Country Planning Act and did not require a planning application. Preliminary design work was completed and agreed in March 2018 which proposed a new off-line bridge to the south of the existing structure to provide 2-way traffic on Barkham Road, removing the existing bottle neck. As the project has developed since February 2017, we recently sought confirmation of this permitted development based on the scheme layout.
Balfour Beatty has started the work after undertaking some ground investigation works which included feedback from Thames Water and the Environment Agency, to inform the detailed design of the bridge structure and further survey works will be on-going to inform the design.
There is a communications plan and list of key stakeholders with Balfour Beatty to allow them to take forward on-going project updates, more details can be found on Wokingham Borough website at https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/roadworks-and-outdoor-maintenance/major-new-roads/barkham-bridge/
Construction starts in autumn 2019 and is due to open for traffic in spring 2021.
Barkham Bridge is part of the £124m Highways Programme delivered under the SCAPE Procurement Framework which includes the Arborfield Cross Relief Road, Barkham Bridge improvements, Winnersh Relief Road - Phase 2, Lower Earley Way Dualling and three projects which form the South Wokingham Distributor Road, Eastern Gateway, Spine Road and Western Gateway.
Satellite view of the area
Map showing the old and new road layout