There was new hope last week for solving Twyford’s parking crisis after politicians agreed to form an all‑party working group to brainstorm fixes.
Council leader Stephen Conway said the group will meet later this month. He added: “We’ve been working very hard on it for a long period, and so have councillors from other parties – it’s been a priority since 2013.”
Everyone accepts Twyford now has a brilliant service to central London, but the supporting infrastructure across Wokingham borough is “wholly inadequate”.
Conservatives want the council to be ambitious and look beyond GWR or Network Rail land — even investing in nearby parking outside station land that the council could deliver quickly.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats favour improving fast bus links instead. Part of the problem is that full‑size bikes can’t go on the Elizabeth Line in rush hour, and the railway land where a carpark might fit has very tricky access under two bridges on the Henley line.
At a recent meeting with the rail minister, Wokingham’s MP and Council highways chief Cllr Adrian Betteridge, the railways offered only 50 extra car spaces.
Residents want buses from Broad Street through the rush hour, or services starting from Coppid Beeches park‑and‑ride. Others demand a fast Woodley bus from 5am until 10pm.
The Labour group has nominated Norreys councillor Nagi Nagella. Group leader Rachel Burgess said: “Residents need a clear, properly funded plan from the Council that puts sustainable and accessible travel first.
“Nagi will be urging the Council to deliver real improvements to bus services, cycling infrastructure, and safe walking routes.
“Both Woodley and Wokingham urgently require high-quality, direct, and safe connections to Twyford.”
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen (Con) criticised the Lib Dems: “In January, the LibDems committed to creating a cross‑party working group on Twyford Station parking, yet no group has been set up. They were asked for an update on this commitment by a resident. The email response from a senior LibDem said, ’If I am honest, I don’t expect this to make a material difference to what we are already working on’.
“Only then were we contacted to provide names of the two Conservative Councillors that would sit on this working group. While it appears the LibDems have already decided on their limited course of action, it’s essential that all options to resolve this long‑standing parking issue, for residents and the wider Borough, are fully considered.”
Cllr Adrian Betteridge (Lib Dem), Executive Councillor for Active Travel, Transport and Highways, said: “All parties were invited to nominate their representatives and two dates have been proposed for the meeting this month. The meeting will cover commercially sensitive issues and will not be open to the public.”
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
