Twyford

Sometimes persistence pays! After a three-year campaign, Twyford village centre finally has CCTV cover. For a long time, Conservative-controlled Wokingham District Council was unwilling to install cameras in Twyford, despite an independent report, commissioned by the council, clearly identifying the need for CCTV in the village.

In July 2002, Stephen Conway, one of Twyford’s Lib Dem councillors, submitted a petition signed by more than 800 local residents and businesses, calling for CCTV for the village centre. When this failed to move the Conservatives, Stephen began to approach local businesses for funding. This persuaded the council to provide part of the money needed to install the system, and to agree to cover the running costs. The council’s belated commitment was welcome, but it remains unfortunate that of all the district’s main centres, only Twyford has had to raise money locally for CCTV. Had it not been for the generosity of local businesses, we would still be waiting!

The first camera was in place and operating by the time of the Twyford Christmas Fair in early December, and the system has already helped the police with a number of incidents in the village centre.

Twyford Liberal Democrats