RESIDENTS in Crowthorne believe that Bracknell Forest Borough Council should offer a better recycling service, according to a recent survey.

A survey conducted by the Liberal Democrats found that 80% of those asked
were unsatisfied with the borough council’s record on recycling.

The community survey was issued to 350 homes in Crowthorne recently and responses were collected from 132 households.

Steve Pope, former Crowthorne Lib Dem councillor, said: “I am pleased with the outcome of the survey. I’ve found considerable support on the doorstep for many Lib Dem policies such as those on the environment, providing free personal care for older people and abolishing student loans but the most striking feature is with the continuing dissatisfaction with the level of development taking place in the village.

“One resident said the familiar and pleasant High Street had been transformed into a ‘high rise canyon’.

“Residents have little faith in the existing planning process and many feel their interests are still being over-ridden or ignored by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

“The proposed development of the TRL site will be a major test of the council’s declared resolve to protect the legitimate interests of the residents of Crowthorne.”

Elsewhere in the survey 50% of those asked said they were worried about antisocial behaviour while 43% said they were concerned about drug abuse, burglary and vandalism.

The state of High Street in Crowthorne also provoked strong feelings among the village’s residents, with 65% expressing dissatisfaction with its development.

The development of the TRL site at the Crowthorne Business Estate was also highlighted as a contentious issue, with 70% of residents admitting they were concerned about the plans.

Residents had the chance to find out more about the planned development at the estate last week when Legal and General, which wants to build almost 1,000 homes there, held a three-day public exhibition.

Andrew MacKay MP, whose Bracknell constituency covers Crowthorne, agreed with residents when he told the Mail earlier this week: “I think this is a worryingly over-ambitious plan.

“I share the concerns of many local residents that the TRL site should remain largely a green gap between Bracknell and Crowthorne.”

Those who responded to the survey were generally happy with their healthcare, with
86% stating they were satisfied with the standard of NHS healthcare in Crowthorne.

Only 14% reported experiencing difficulty in getting treatment or medication but three-quarters thought that the government should provide free personal care for the elderly.

A number of residents were concerned about investment in public transport, with 81% saying that more money should be ploughed into it.

However, only 17% admitted they had had any problems personally with transport in the area.
Almost all those asked felt that the government’s tax on pension fund dividends should be abolished, with 93% calling for change.

According to the Lib Dems, nearly every respondent felt that residents should be able to put their views forward at all council meetings.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: “At present participation in council meetings is rigorously controlled and the opportunity for residents to put their views forward is extremely limited.”

Tina McKenzie-Boyle, chairman of Crowthorne Parish Council, hit back at Lib Dem suggestions that the public do not have the chance to have their voice heard.

“We always give everybody the opportunity to speak at public question time,” she said.

“We would welcome all of the people who responded to this survey to come along to our full council meetings on the first Tuesday of every month in the parish hall.

“We are often lucky if we get five people turning up. We can’t work in a vacuum, we need to know what people think so I would call on Crowthorne residents to come along to our meetings.”