Conservatives Demand Urgent Repairs for Caversham Roads

The Conservatives in Reading are pushing for urgent fixes to Henley Road and Caversham Bridge in Caversham, calling the surfaces "failing" and unacceptable.

They said: "We are calling on Reading Borough Council to take urgent action on the failing surface of Henley Road (A4155) and the unacceptable condition of Caversham Bridge.

"Henley Road is in a visibly poor state. As a key route into Reading - including access to Reading Crematorium - it should allow funeral processions to pass with dignity, not along a worn, uneven surface.

"The Council has acknowledged the road has reached the end of its life - but being "under consideration" isn't enough. Residents need clear timelines and action now.

"Caversham Bridge is just as concerning. A surface that has failed within two years is unacceptable. Ongoing discussions must lead to action - not more delay."

They want the council to publish a resurfacing timetable for Henley Road, "deliver a clear resolution" on Caversham Bridge and keep residents updated. The Conservatives have launched a petition on their website, with a photo of Isobel Ballsdon and Saadia Sadaat (Caversham Heights candidates), Andrew Ballsdon (Caversham) and Alex Smith.

Liz Terry, leader of the Labour group on the council, hit back: "It is disappointing that the Conservatives appear to be ignorant - willfully or otherwise - of the fact these works have already been agreed.

"The resurfacing of Henley Road was reported in the Highways Maintenance Programme 2026/27 at the Housing Neighbourhood and Leisure Committee on March 10 this year.

"Conservative Councillor Isobel Ballsdon is a member of this committee and was present when the report was agreed.

"Caversham Bridge was resurfaced two years ago. One section has failed due to an issue below the top surface for which the contractor is not responsible. A resolution is scheduled as part of the 2026/27 maintenance programme.

"Reading has recently been named one of the areas with the fewest potholes in the UK due to the £17 million invested over the last 6 years under a Labour council. I am extremely proud of our record of delivering for residents and taking pride in our town."

The Labour candidates for Thames and Caversham wards are incumbent councillors Adele Barnett-Ward and Jacopo Lanzoni.

Green group councillor Rob White, the main opposition candidate in Park ward, warned: "Potholes in many of Reading's roads are a hazard to all road users.

"Plenty of roads are riddled with potholes, have a mosaic of patches and are dangerous to use.

"We have been raising this for years and whilst there has been an improvement recently there is still some way to go.

"Successive governments have failed to fund councils properly meaning that there is an underinvestment in many public services such as road resurfacing. As well as working on this locally, Green MPs will continue to lobby for decent funding for public services."

The Green candidates for Thames and Caversham wards are David Clarke and Sam Wild.

Social Democrat Bill Runacre and James Halls said: "It is certainly true that Henley Road and Caversham Bridge are in need of repair, and we broadly support the move to get this done as soon as possible as it would certainly improve the everyday lives of Reading people.

"It's nice to see the Conservatives actually conserving something for a change - a thing we in the Social Democrats strongly advocate.

"This issue is, however, also a useful reminder that overall planning in our town has to bear in mind that we cannot keep increasing our town's population without consequences.

"So while measures need to be taken to improve these roads, we should also acknowledge that Reading's traffic load is already a big problem when considering future residential developments.

"Additionally, whilst supporting this proposal, we would urge strong consideration be given to achieving maximum benefit at the lowest reasonable cost to hard-pressed council taxpayers."

Mr Runacre is running in Caversham and Mr Halls in Thames. The Caversham wards are also being contested by the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK; responses have been requested from those parties.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter