Page 1035 - Reading Mercury

been called for in a letter from Wokingham and District Chamber of Trade, which
described the town as ‘just one big traffic jam’.

‘FEARS COME TRUE’
The Chairman of the Wokingham Society, Mr. Anthony Cross, has issued the
following statement:
“The new one-way system has come into operation and the Society has seen its fears
come true—traffic snarl-ups, a race-track in Denmark Street and the great hazards for
pedestrians trying to cross the road, particularly in Denmark Street—etc. Things are in
fact far worse than expected. To take only a few examples: On Saturday morning
there was a build-up of traffic from Station Road right back to the Bull at Barkham;
residents in Wellington Road and the roads off it have extreme difficulty in getting
their cars in and out; and the main stream of traffic through the Market Place,
Denmark Street and Wellington Road often proceeds so fast that it is well-nigh
impossible for traffic from side roads to infiltrate. While the scheme has many
disadvantages, there are no obvious advantages. Unless there is a definite
improvement, should not the whole scheme be suspended and thoroughly re-
examined?
The Society intends to make the strongest representation, both in principle and in
detail. We shall be asking members of the Society, or others, to provide details of
particular instances to Peter Wilford of 22, Marks Road, who is the Secretary of the
Society’s Traffic and Planning Group. Everyone should remember that this is an
experimental scheme.”

th
Thur 28 Sept
BUS LANE EXPERIMENT
Yesterday (Wednesday) there was a fresh development. The County Council’s
Surveyor’s Department announced that from Sunday, for one week only, the contra
bus lane in Shute End is being withdrawn. This will give them a week to assess the
advantages and disadvantages according to a spokesman.

th
Thur 9 Nov
METHODIST UNVEILING
Tablets to commemorate the opening of the £45,000 extensions to the Methodist
Church, Wokingham, were unveiled on Saturday afternoon. A large sum was donated
by the Arthur Rank Trust. Witnessing the ceremony were Dr. R.G. Ashman,
Superintendent of the Methodist Ministry Reading Circuit; the Rev. Denis Phippen
from Tilehurst who gave the address in a service which followed; Mr. William van
Straubenzee, Wokingham’s M.P; and many members of the church in Rose Street.
The tablets, given by a donor who wished to remain anonymous were placed at the
entry to one section and on the outside wall of another. The Minister, the Rev. S.
Maurice Wendt unveiled them. He explained the they hoped the attractive suite of
rooms that had been added to the enlarged church would become a centre not only for
the men and women who worshipped and shared social activities there but for the
youth ad continuity of Wokingham.
As the target of £45,000 has not yet been reached, a gift day was held on Saturday
after the unveiling and service and Mr. Wendt received a further £750 for the fund.
All the organisations attracted to the church are planning ways and means of raising
the remaining £4,250 before the finishing touches are made to the building ready for
the official opening in May.

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