Potholes and bins seemed to be top of Wokingham Borough Council local election voters’ minds at Lower Earley Library this morning.

The library is one of the polling stations for the borough’s Hillside ward – which often sees a very close vote.

One voter, Isma, told the News she was most concerned about bins and crime. She said: “For me it’s definitely about the roads and crime. I’ve seen a rise in crime in this area, even in small crimes.

“And I’d like the council to do something about the state of the roads because they’re a mess.”

LIVE BLOG: Wokingham takes to the polls

Marion and David Mack were motivated by similar concerns. David said: “We’ve lived here for 30 years and it’s local issues we’re concerned about – potholes and refuse collections.”

Marion said: “There are certain issues in our area that have definitely got our backs up.” She added: “I always make sure I vote – it’s useless if you don’t.”

Another couple, who didn’t want to be named, linked local issues to national ones. One said: “I’m looking at local issues such as the state of the roads and the safety of the area.

“But on a bigger scale I’m looking at how the economy isn’t great and how things have gone for the past year.”

Her partner added: “It just feels like after Covid services across the country have dropped. And you can see that in things like the state of the roads.”