Wokingham Town and the new Carnival leisure complex are only accessible from the South by busy roads with inadequate pavements and no cycleways.

Network Rail is planning to replace the Tanhouse temporary bridges next to the Carnival leisure complex but is intending to build a stepped structure which will be inaccessible to everyone other than fully-able pedestrians. We believe this to be contrary to their duty under Section 19 of the disabilities discrimination act. A bridge with ramps would provide safe and direct access for pedestrians of all abilities, wheelchair and mobility scooter users, families with pushchairs, cyclists and others from Molly Millars, Folly Court, Barkham, Finchampstead and Woosehill, in place of the longer and less safe alternatives.

We call upon Network Rail to work with Wokingham Borough Council to ensure the replacement Tanhouse bridge is accessible to all, and upon Wokingham Borough Council to facilitate and contribute to this scheme for the benefit of residents.