Personal information

Short biography

Alison McNamara lives with her husband and children in Caversham (Thames Ward). She works part-time as a teacher at a Reading primary school and cycles to work.

Alison's interests include transport (in particular safer routes to school), recycling, the preservation of green space in Reading and organic and local produce.

Full biography

Alison says, "Reading's size and natural geography are perfect for making Reading a town in which travel on foot, by bicycle and by bus is pleasant and efficient, not to mention the potential to exploit Reading's waterways for transport. It is only by making these alternative forms of transport safer and more attractive that Reading can truly tackle its traffic congestion and reduce its impact on climate change in the long term.

"Reading's accessible green spaces in town and access to open countryside are assets that are essential for the physical and mental wellbeing of the town's residents. It is time to consider the effects of the relentless expansion of the road network and increasing density of buildings on the quality of life in Reading in the long term and to look for more sustainable solutions."

A mother of three who has lived in Thames Ward for 10 years, Alison is very concerned about the paucity of pedestrian facilities north of the river, particularly the absence of any pedestrian crossings along the busy A4074 Woodcote Road and Kidmore Road, which many primary and secondary pupils must negotiate on their route to school.

She is also concerned that the withdrawal of night-time and Sunday bus services from a large area of Caversham leads to increased dependence on private motor cars and a constraint on mobility for non-drivers.

History

Member for

1 year 44 weeks