It is interesting to see both Tory and Labour people joining the protest at the proposed developments at the Bath Road Reservoir. The reservoir site is special because it has become a habitat to so much wildlife; it is home to diverse species, many rare or protected. This is one of the few green spaces near the centre of the town; there is nowhere else for them to go. The Reading Biodiversity Action Plan states that Reading aims to 'protect, conserve and enhance Reading's diversity of wildlife', not destroy every last site. There is also a core strategy commitment to 'protection and enhancement of the biodiversity of open spaces'. The idea of developing this site reminds me of a John Prescott speech, 'the green belt is a Labour achievement, and we mean to build on it'.

Other parties have such similar policies it can be hard to tell them apart, we call them the grey parties. They are all have policies to over develop the South East, it is the Green Party that promotes sustainable development. Pretending to oppose something while voting the other way is nothing new, but voters notice more and more these days; hypocritical politicians beware. To avoid the responsibility they try and blame Thames Water, when it is the grey parties that privatised them and so obliged TW to maximise profit regardless of residents wishes or environmental responsibilities.

Reading has been rapidly growing, but we have limited resources; our Roads, Schools and drains are already stretched beyond their capacity. The result is plain to see; traffic regularly gridlocks, pollution increases, flooding becomes more common and school places are increasingly rare. Isn't it time to call a halt to this unsustainable madness?

You can tell RBC what you think by signing the petition at http://savethebathroadreservoir.co.uk, there are already over 1200 who have signed. Also write to the planners at planningcomments@reading.gov.uk and keep an eye out at www.reading.gov.uk/consultations for your chance to respond.

Adrian Windisch
Reading West Green Party Candidate
18 Kent Road, Reading, RG30 2EJ
0118 9567190
07802 671606