Theresa May has called for Oxfordshire County Council to provide more information to Sonning residents and businesses about the closure of Playhatch Road, following concerns that local people have not been kept up-to-date on developments. Playhatch Road has been closed on the north side of Sonning Bridge as a result of flood damage. The road has been closed by Oxfordshire County Council “for the time being” so that engineers can carry out a detailed inspection.
Sonning Bridge provides a vital through-route, and the road closure has resulted in traffic congestion and inconvenience for local residents. There is also a concern that local businesses could be hit if fewer people visit Sonning as a result. Some businesses have expressed concern that they were not informed of the Council’s actions. Theresa has now written to the Council to request more information about the road closure, and to ask that Sonning residents and businesses are kept fully up-to-date.
Theresa has already renewed her call for a new Thames crossing in the Sonning area to relieve pressure on Sonning Bridge.
Commenting, Theresa said: “The closure of Playhatch Road may be a necessary safety precaution, but we need to see better communication with local residents and businesses as it is having a direct impact on them. Oxfordshire County Council must ensure that they keep local people up-to-date, and that action to re-open the road is taken as soon as possible. It is important to emphasise that local businesses are very much open and Sonning is still accessible. This is further evidence of the need for a new Thames crossing in the Sonning area, which I continue to campaign for.”
