A petition containing over 1000 signatories was submitted to the Council on 24 January 2016. In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution, it was requested by the lead petitioner that the petition be debated at a full Council meeting.

The petition reads as follows:

‘We the undersigned petition The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to provide immediate funding to enable work to commence at the earliest opportunity, within this financial year, on the agreed road safety proposal for Wraysbury Railway Station Bridge, Station Road’

The Constitution provides for a maximum time of 30 minutes to debate such petitions; this can be overruled at the Mayor’s discretion.

In accordance with the Constitution, the order of speaking shall be as follows:

A petition containing over 1000 signatories was submitted to the Council on 24 January 2016. In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution, it was requested by the lead petitioner that the petition be debated at a full Council meeting.

The petition read as follows:

‘We the undersigned petition The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to provide immediate funding to enable work to commence at the earliest opportunity, within this financial year, on the agreed road safety proposal for Wraysbury Railway Station Bridge, Station Road’

The Strategic Director of Operations and Customer Services thanked the petitioners for their hard work and efforts in securing more than 1000 signatures. Additionally, support had been secured from both Wraysbury Parish Council and Horton Parish Council.

He explained that Wraysbury Station railway bridge was controlled by traffic signals but did not benefit from an accessible footpath which potentially created road safety risks, particularly for pedestrians. Royal Borough officers had undertaken a feasibility study and created an outline design solution which repositioned the traffic signals on both sides of the bridge and incorporated a new footway.  This outline scheme would support the general principles of improving road safety and encouraging walking.

In summary, he welcomed the petition to improve pedestrian facilities from residents in Wraysbury and, subject to support from Council, would be very happy for officers to further develop the outline scheme, review costs and prepare a timetable for delivery which would be presented to Cabinet and shared with residents, Members, Horton Parish Council and Wraysbury Parish Council.

Council was addressed by Graham Cribbin and Henry Perez, Lead Petitioners. Mr Cribbin explained that he and Mr Perez had started the Wraysbury Speed Watch group to enable residents to inform and converse on any speeding issues they or their families had experienced. Over the past year the group had grown to 250 members, with many mentioning Wraysbury Station bridge as one of the key concerns. The group was aware of one fatality on the bridge and also one life-changing injury.

A site visit had been held in January 2016 with South West Trains, National Rail, the borough, Ward Councillor John Lenton and Parish Council Chairman Margaret Lenton. The group had walked across the bridge and reached the top when two buses had met; all had had to lean back onto the collapsed fence to avoid being hit. The lack of pathway meant those using wheelchairs or pushchairs had no access to the station or village shops. Everything that the group had spoken to the railway about had been undertaken. Further site meetings had taken place and a feasibility study and safety plan had been developed that would cost £85,000. The online and hard copy petition had attracted 2250 signatures, 70-80% of which were local residents.

Mr Perez explained that safety concerns relating to bridge access had been experienced by residents for over 20 years. In its current state the bridge was unsafe and not fit for purpose for pedestrian traffic. The population of Wraysbury and the number of station users had increased in recent years to an estimated 112,000 in 2014. Large numbers of residents worked from home and were visited by clients using the station.  Two large leisure facilities  in the area had increased both visitors and passengers. Safety issues arose for both pedestrians and drivers. At present there was a footpath either side but it stopped at the foot of the bridge. The bridge contravened the Highway Code for pedestrians and fell short of good practice guidelines for those with disabilities. Mr Perez had addressed the recent Highways, Transport and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel, which had recommended to Council that funding be found for the works. The Cabinet had provided warm words of support if the quoted figures were correct.

Councillor Rayner first spoke as a Ward Councillor. He had grown up in the area and the bridge had always been known as dangerous. The number of passengers using the station in 2004 was 36,000. This had increased to 112,000 in 2015. He thoroughly recommended the report. Wraysbury residents had made their feelings loud and clear. Councillor Lenton made a minor correction to page 12 of the report as the Council had yet to accept the proposal. A solution had been put forward. The plan had been presented to and accepted by the two parish councils. The bridge was on the boundary between the two parishes. The report recommended approval but with a 20% contribution by the parish. The parish councils had not had any opportunity to discuss this but it was likely to be beyond their means.

Councillor Bhatti arrived at 7.45pm.

Councillor Dudley suggested removing the reference to the parish councils funding 20% of the scheme; instead the focus should be on developer contributions. The cost of bespoke schemes could escalate therefore a proper costing for the work was needed but if the final cost was anywhere near that quoted the scheme would proceed when it was brought to Cabinet for consideration. Councillor Dudley referred to further funding for Wraysbury in relation to the primary school.

Councillor Beer supported the recommendation; he had lived in Wraysbury earlier in his life. The bridge was known as dangerous because the road approached at an angle. Ground works may be necessary to increase the width of the road. He was pleased to hear that the parishes would not be expected to contribute to the cost of the scheme.

The Lead Member for Highways and Transport responded that no groundworks would be needed; if they were the cost would exceed £85,000.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That

i) The council welcomes the petition from Wraysbury and Horton residents, and recognises the need for safe pedestrian access to Wraysbury Station.

ii) This council requests the Lead Member for Highways and Transport to report back to Cabinet with a fully costed proposal for the implementation of a footpath at Wraysbury Station.