We hope you find this October Round Up useful. It leads with our open meeting on 19 November on a subject important for so many, and links to our report on the neighbourhood safety survey results. We report on the numerous long-term roadworks. In planning, illuminated advertising kiosks are proposed for Church Street, and we explain the delay to the Oxfordshire local development plans. As always, please forward Round Up to friends who may be interested.
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CADRA OPEN MEETING
PROMOTING HOPE + HAPPINESS, PREVENTING HATE + HARM
Olly Stephens was just 13 when he was set up, plotted against and lured out of his home due to an argument on social media. Olly was a victim of knife crime and was killed by other children in Bugs Bottom, Emmer Green. Almost 5 years on, his bereaved mother, Amanda, has become a standard-bearer for raising awareness of action to protect young people. This has culminated in the creation of the charity ‘The Olly Stephens Trust’. Amanda will explain what ‘Olly’s Work’ does and how it seeks to educate others. Her presentation will be followed by a talk from Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) Community Safety Manager, Sarah Gardner and RBC’s Safer Public Realm Officer, Kiar Greyfaulk. They will explain the partner organisations that work with RBC to help protect young people. There will be plenty of opportunity for these speakers to answer questions from the floor. The meeting is open to all (not just CADRA members). Refreshments will be available.
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS
North Reading Safer Neighbourhood Forum (NRSNF)
A well-attended meeting at Emmer Green covered many local issues affecting our area. Topics discussed included firework sales, fly tipping, Reading Festival, Public Space Protection Orders, thefts from motor vehicles, speeding, shoplifting, and the need for improvements to four pedestrian crossings.
Safety concerns were also raised about risks to cyclists from cars, risks to pedestrians from illegally modified electric bikes riding on pavements, and deliberate tree damage in Reading. Littering was highlighted as a particular issue in Emmer Green and Lower Caversham, with residents asking if the newly formed litter enforcement team could be seconded to North Reading for a day or two. The police and RBC teams gave updates on key issues across North Reading. The forum was updated on the recent Reading Safety Surveys.
Safer Reading Neighbourhood Forum
Results were presented for the Annual Safety Survey and the new Young Voices Safety Survey (see a summary in the NRSNF Agenda). CADRA noted that both results showed many similarities, highlighting people's concerns about feeling safe in certain areas, particularly at night.
One finding caused particular concern: a high number of young people said they had seen (or thought) someone was carrying a knife. The police reminded residents that knife sightings can now be reported online via the In Your Area section of the police website, with all reports receiving a response within 72 hours.
PLANNING
BT has applications for two of their Street Hubs in Church Street. There are similar hubs around Reading, which are all part of implementing the Government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy. These are housed within a double-sided illuminated advertising screen. One by the Spill Bar (PL/25/1352 and PL/25/1357) replaces the phone box, and the other (PL/25/1388 and PL/25/1397) is outside Waitrose, close to the passage to the car park.
These 3m high kiosks will provide 5G services, free public Wi-Fi, USB charging and emergency service access. The screens will face pedestrians, and there are concerns that they will obstruct the pavement, be a distraction to drivers and be out of keeping with the Caversham village street scene.
Also in Caversham centre, the Alto Lounge, Church Street (PL/25/1333) seeks consent for new fascia signage and replacement menu board, which includes the fascia for the conversion of the former charity shop next door. Two applications have been permitted in the Caversham Conservation Area – roof alterations at 6 Church Street, a listed building (PL/25/0841) and at 18 Bridge Street (PL/25/1004), a conversion from office to two flats.
Elsewhere, permission has been granted for the popular Hills Meadow Ice Rink from October to January, although concerns were expressed about the risk to the trees and grass verge next to it from construction traffic. And in George Street, the Thames Valley Service Station have successfully appealed against the refusal of an illuminated advertising board. And the refused extension at 1 Gravel Hill Cottages, Blagrave Lane (PL/25/0574) has been appealed.
At the Emmer Green Reservoir, off Kiln Road (P23/S3410/FUL), a revised design of the new reservoir retains more trees and shows no new ecological impacts. We note there is already some work on site.
The South Oxfordshire Local Plan to 2035 was adopted in December 2020. Since then, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse DCs have been working on a Joint Local Plan to 2041. The final draft was submitted to the Secretary of State December 2024 and there has been a process of examination by Planning Inspectors.
On 26 September 2025, the Planning Inspectors wrote saying that there was a failure to demonstrate that the Duty to Cooperate has been met concerning housing needs for Oxford City Council. They advised that the plan should be withdrawn. South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse DCs have replied contesting this and are seeking legal advice. Both documents are available at Joint Local Plan 2041 Examination, which provides a timeline of events and links to other key documents.
Housing numbers for Oxford and across Oxfordshire have been a source of contention for many years. This complex issue leaves the basis for future planning decisions somewhat uncertain. The ability for Councils to meet their agreed housing numbers is always a significant consideration.
MEMBERS' CONCERNS
Railings Outside Waltons
CADRA has reported the missing railings outside Waltons Jewellers in Central Caversham on the roundabout between Prospect Street, Church Rd and Gosbrook Rd. Please take care near the roundabout.
Prospect Street Zebra Crossing
CADRA is working with NRSNF to see if the illumination of the Belisha beacon on Prospect Street can be improved.
Rotherfield Way Crossing
CADRA has been contacted by residents suggesting there is need for a pedestrian or zebra crossing across Rotherfield Way where the traffic can be very congested in the mornings around school times. CADRA raised this at the NRSNF and is talking to Councillor Juthani about this. Can you please let us know if your child has difficulties crossing Rotherfield Way on the way to Highdown? Can you please let us know if your child uses Grove Hill or Surley Row?
ROADS
Road Works Peppard Road
The Peppard Road full closure is due to finish before the end of October with partial closures managed by traffic lights continuing to January. We are seeking confirmation and are very aware of the pressures caused around Caversham. CADRA has also requested that the railings and the flint bank alongside Queen Anne’s School are checked.
Kidmore Road Closure
This should have opened this month, but it will remain closed into the new year, as Thames Water have identified a second “ground feature”, further up the road. This section was fenced off when work first started on the main area. Thames Water expect “stabilising” this second feature will take until the end of the year, although said with caveats. After which, the road must be “reinstated” before it can be opened for traffic.
Oxfordshire Speed Limits Reduced
Several more sections of the A4074 to Oxford will now have a 40mph limit. One will extend the existing 40mph limit at Cane End all the way to Reading border, on the Upper Woodcote Road - BBC Local News. We understand the new limits are now effective, but have not seen when new signs will appear.
SCHOOL BUS GUIDE
Following on from the Youth Safety Survey, Reading Buses has produced an excellent guide for children looking to travel to school by bus. It has all the information that you need including times, tickets, facilities on board and safety information.
WALKING GUIDES
RBC has produced several new walking maps that can be downloaded from RBC’s website. CADRA is delighted to see the two Wellbeing Walks for North Reading: Thames & Kennet Walk and Caversham Walk. We would particularly recommend the Caversham Walk which takes in Bugs Bottom. While you are there, please stop to look at Olly’s Tree and Bench.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Friends of Caversham Court Gardens Halloween Trail 25 And 26 October
The 5th Halloween Trail with over 20 displays, including many new ones and some old favourites. It is suitable for children of all ages and with lots to interest all grown-ups too. The Tea Kiosk will be open. Please bring £1 cash for your trail guide/tick sheet. (Daylight hours only)
CAVMAS – Christmas Late Night Shopping
Caversham Traders are busy planning for their late-night shopping event on Friday 5 December - 5pm to 9pm. Look out for the live reindeer, Reverse Santa at Fourbears Books, live entertainment, mulled wine and more.
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