Grazeley Green – pedestrian safety
I submitted a Members’ Bid for safe refuges along unlit, unpaved sections of the road. Although this was not funded, I’m pressing for the works to be delivered from the core highways budget.
Councillor Nick
Welcome
I represent Burghfield, Mortimer, Beech Hill & Wokefield (“Burghfield & Mortimer” ward) on West Berkshire Council. I use this page to share updates, explain how things work, and point you towards ways to get help or have your say.
Latest councillor updates
29 July 2026
Three Firs crossing works confirmed for August
West Berkshire Council will begin work on a new two-stage pedestrian crossing at the Three Firs roundabout on 17 August.
The Council is delivering the highway crossing element, which will connect with the separate Mortimer-to-Burghfield Common footpath being constructed by Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council.
The work is expected to take around two weeks. Temporary traffic lights will operate throughout, and access to some nearby properties may be restricted for short periods.
16 July 2026
Council unanimously backs West End Farm motion
West Berkshire Council has unanimously supported my motion concerning Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council’s proposed allocation of around 350 homes at West End Farm, Mortimer West End.
West Berkshire Council had already submitted detailed representations during the Regulation 18 consultation in January. The motion allowed the elected Council as a whole to debate the issue and formally place a clear political position on record.
It calls for continued engagement with Basingstoke & Deane, proper assessment of the effects on West Berkshire’s infrastructure and services, and effective cross-boundary mitigation if the proposed allocation continues through the Local Plan process.
16 July 2026
Government confirms new Ridgeway Council
The Government has confirmed that West Berkshire will join with most of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to form a new Ridgeway Council from April 2028.
The boundary between West Berkshire and Reading will remain unchanged. Elections to a shadow authority are expected in May 2027, ahead of the new council taking responsibility for services the following year.
Of the options considered, I think Ridgeway offers the strongest basis for protecting local services, although there will be important work ahead to ensure West Berkshire and its communities retain a strong voice within the larger authority.
Key local issue
Mortimer West End – proposed 350 homes
Basingstoke & Deane is proposing around 350 homes at West End Farm, Mortimer West End. I have created a separate information hub containing the latest news, background, documents and next steps.
View the Mortimer West End hub →Useful links
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Add automatic reminders to your calendar so you’ll be notified at 6 pm the evening before your collection day to put out the correct bins.
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Current council updates
Short notes on issues I’m currently working on. For fuller commentary, see my newsletter back issues.
Waste & recycling changes
West Berkshire is rolling out changes to black-bin and recycling collections from 2025. See the waste and recycling page for details and dates.
Newsletter back issues
Browse previous editions of my Burghfield & Mortimer ward newsletter. Each link opens the full issue in a new tab.
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Newsletter 18 – Mortimer West End 350-home proposal,
pharmacy consolidation, community projects, EV charging and Ridgeway Council.
Read issue 18 -
Newsletter 17 – Plans for Mortimer school land,
electric vehicle charging, fly-tipping, Ridgeway Council and road improvements.
Read issue 17 -
Newsletter 16 – Mortimer West End 350-home proposal,
Council Tax and the West Berkshire budget, plans for St John’s school
sports and play provision, community projects, Goring Lane speed limit.
Read issue 16 -
Newsletter 15 – Mortimer West End 350 home plan, community projects, waste & recycling,
bus services, parking.
Read issue 15 -
Newsletter 14 – Speed limits, bus services, waste & recycling,
Ridgeway Council, road improvements.
Read issue 14 -
Newsletter 13 – Speed limits, bus services, waste & recycling,
Ridgeway Council, road improvements.
Read issue 13 -
Newsletter 12 – Mortimer Post Office, Grazeley solar farm, Fairground
water supply, bus & speed-limit survey, waste & recycling and more.
Read issue 12 -
Newsletter 11 – Windmill Court, bus & speed-limit survey, council budget,
waste & recycling, Grazeley solar farm and more.
Read issue 11 -
Newsletter 10 – Skate park, pavement outside St John’s, council budget,
bus service review and more.
Read issue 10 -
Newsletter 9 – Windmill Court, bus & speed-limit survey, council budget,
waste & recycling, Grazeley solar farm.
Read issue 9 -
Newsletter 8 – Local Plan, Garth Club, Waste Strategy, Bus Services, Hawkesworth Road &.
Read issue 8 -
Newsletter 7 – Flooding, waste and recycling &
Read issue 7 -
Newsletter 6 – Restoring a pavement, council budget, the Local Plan, Planning appeals &
and more.
Read issue 6