25-04-2010, 08:04 AM
The Footpaths in Theale village for the ordinary person, would seem satisfactory for purpose, that is unless you are a mum with pram and kids, or handicaped by disablement and using a wheelchair, or elderly and using a walking aid, even the elderly using `electric chariots' would notice this problem with Theale's walkways. There IS a problem and it is caused by bad workmanship and bad planning with more than a touch of inconsideration. Lets start off with vehicle access to properties, The Council lowers the kerb and forms a ramp ACCROSS the pavement, two of these together near The Crown, try navigating those in a wheel chair! There are several more of these around Theale, outside of what was Theale Motors Showrooms on High St is another exsample. Pavement camber, esentialy to drain rainwater, but the run off is so severe at some places as to propel wheelchairs into the gutter, on the corner opposite The Crown (again?), along High St's Angel Court area too, particularly when raining. Then there are surface repairs from works on the services beneath the pavements, designed it seems to trip the unwary pedestrian. This may seem quite a RANT and I suppose it is, But you might be more sympathetic, if it was YOU trying to propel a wheelchair around these pavements in Theale, or a mum trying to push a pram and infants to the surgury along Englefield roads pavement!