WE have rounded up some of Bracknell's most shocking, exciting and important stories from the past week.

Here are a few of the most significant stories readers should be aware of:

 

1. Lorry driver dies following crash with tractor in six-vehicle pile-up

 

Bracknell News:

 

A MAN has died following a six-vehicle pile-up involving a lorry and a tractor in Bracknell.

The man, a 56-year-old from Thatcham, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The incident occurred just after 8am on Monday, May 10 between Ringmead and South Hill Road. 

To read the full story, click here.

 

2. Plans for 1,600 homes and major road south of Wokingham set to be approved

 

Bracknell News:

 

Massive development plans for WOKINGHAM featuring more than 1,600 homes and a major road are set to be approved.

The plans form part of the South Wokingham Major Development, which would see the town expand south of the railway track for the first time.

The biggest aspect of the latest plan is the amount of new homes to be built.

A total of 1,649 homes are due to be given the greenlight, and would be divided in two clusters.

To read the full story, click here.

 

3. New major relief road opens to public

 

Bracknell News:

 

AFTER MONTHS of construction, the new relief road in Winnersh has opened to the public.

The Wokingham Borough Mayor, Malcolm Richards, officially opened the road this week, marking its completion after construction works being in place since August 2020.

The council said the relief road was designed to ease congestion for traffic in the Winnersh area, as well as providing a continuation of the council's next big road plan, the North Wokingham Distributor Road.

To read the full story, click here.

 

4. Home Bargains set to move into The Peel Centre despite Princess Square plea from developers

 

Bracknell News:

 

HOME Bargains is trying to move into an empty unit at The Peel Centre -- but the retailer is facing stern opposition from the builders of The Lexicon.

A planning application has been lodged for Home Bargains to move into the vacant store Next used to occupy at The Peel Centre.

The applicants want to convert part of Unit 4a into space exclusively for the sale of food.

To read the full story, click here.

 

5. Minibus driver who told girl with special needs he wanted to 'kidnap her' avoids jail

 

Bracknell News:

 

A MINIBUS driver who text a girl with 'special needs' to tell her she was “sexy” and that he wanted to “kidnap her” will avoid jail.

Ian Phillips, of Keepers Coombe, Bracknell, was given a six-month suspended prison sentence for his ‘offensive’ message and for possessing more than 50 indecent images of children and animals.

A court heard how the 58-year-old used to drive the girl to school in a minibus with other children.

To read the full story, click here.