I have had the following reply from West Berkshire Council to queries raised on behalf of constituents over road maintenance and standards of road works and road cleaning:
(email from West Berks highways)
Reading Rd, Building site next to Tesco
Following the trenching works in May 2013, a warning notice was issued in July 2013 informing Thames Water that the temporary reinstatement was failing. A proposal from Thames Water to permanently reinstate the trench was received on the 7 August 2013 and then cancelled on the 8 August 2013. Following a formal defect notice on the 23 October 2013, Thames Water carried out a reinstatement on the same day, however, following a telephone conversation with Thames Water, it was established that the reinstatement they had undertaken was permanent. As the reinstatement was not to the appropriate standard, a second defect notice was issued yesterday and we will continue our dialogue with Thames Water to ensure that this trench is permanently reinstated to the appropriate standard.
Reading Rd – j/n Hollybush Lane
I can confirm that the Reading Road from the Goring Lane double roundabouts to Hawksworth Road and Holybush Lane from Reading Road to the joint near the Leisure Centre is still provisionally programmed for
2014 as detailed in previous emails. Arrangements have also been made for the junction to be inspected and any defects found will be actioned in accordance with Council policy.
Sweeping of c/way junctions.
Loose material (buckets off it) in every bell mouth
I can confirm that an officer from the Council’s waste team and the Street Cleansing Supervisor from our contractor Veolia conducted a joint visit of the site in question on the 2 December 2013. During their inspection, they found some build up of detritus (e.g. leaves, stones
etc) but nothing that required a sweeper to be deployed to clear prior to the scheduled cleanses over the next fortnight.
I can also confirm that the scheduled cleanses will be jointly checked to ensure that they are completed to the appropriate standard and that spot checks will continue to ensure these levels are maintained.
Jaques Lane/Bottom Lane.
I can confirm that Jaques Lane from Folly Lane to Bottom Lane is provisionally programmed for 2014 for resurfacing as discussed at the Sulhamstead Parish Council meeting. We will also continue to maintain the slow and uneven road signs and monitor the site on a routine basis to ensure it remains in a safe condition.