Caversham Court Gardens Faces Parking Crisis

Parking and drainage problems at Caversham Court Gardens have residents fed up and sparked a debate as the by-election approaches.

The Warren has a cordoned-off wall but drivers are still parking there or elsewhere, pushing issues into neighbouring streets. Drainage faults risk flooding the Reading Canoe Club on the Thames.

Dave Luckett, the Conservative candidate, raised the complaints and other parties have responded.

Wrishi Basu, Labour, said: "If elected, I will put residents' concerns to the council and report back to them once I have the full picture. I can see these are issues residents care about and I would press to meet with the council leadership and relevant staff to understand the issues better."

Clarence Mitchell, Reform UK, said: "Inconsiderate and dangerous parking is as unacceptable around The Warren as it is anywhere across Reading. Thoughtless and selfish parking behind Caversham Court Gardens is causing particularly acute problems for everyone who lives in the immediate area."

He added: "The situation around the unstable wall - and its knock-on effects in neighbouring roads - has been going on for far too long and the council now needs to take firmer enforcement action against those drivers who continue to blatantly ignore the No Parking signs."

Adil Khan, Green Party, said: "Everyone should be able to enjoy Caversham Court Gardens and use The Warren safely. I'd like the council to enforce the parking rules and give residents a firm date for resurfacing The Warren."

He also said: "The Green Party is the main opposition party on Labour-run Reading Council. Greens have the second highest number of councillors. If elected, I would hold the council to account on these issues and keep pushing for a fairer, greener and cleaner town."

Dr Jo Ramsay, Liberal Democrats, said: "Everyone should be able to enjoy this space, and the council needs to get the work done without further delay."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has attempted to contact Tom Hadow, the Restore Britain candidate, for a response.

The by-election is on Thursday, November 26, with polling open from 7am to 10pm.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter