WOKINGHAM’s controversial town centre revamp faced fresh criticism this week after claims it was “only a matter of time” before someone is killed or seriously injured by a vehicle.
The parking bays on Market Street were described as a “death zone” by shoppers who said motorists seemed unable to distinguish between the parking bays and the pavement.
One disabled resident said she watched a number of vehicles including delivery lorries, drive onto the pavement area outside Boots causing people to scatter.
Lynn Antink has called for bollards to be erected before someone is “run over or hit by a vehicle.”
“There are tyre marks on the pavement most days which proves it is a danger happening all the time,” she said.
“Motorists seem to be unable to see where the parking bay ends and the pavement starts. It only takes one distracted shopper or an excited child running on the pavement to end up in the path of a vehicle and they are killed or badly injured.
“The worst areas are outside Boots and Barclays Bank. There needs to be better signage or even better, bollards erected to remove any confusion as to what area is for parking and what part is for pedestrians.”
Another reader who asked not to be named said he had also watched cars driving onto the pavement in front of unsuspecting shoppers.
“I have called out to people more than once because they don’t see or hear a car approaching, often because the person is distracted on their mobile phone,” he explained. “The design is not very good, especially for a busy town centre like Wokingham. It might look nice but it also has to be safe.”
The multi-million pound revamp of the town centre has both been praised and criticised. While many people have praised the design, there have been numerous reports of tripping hazards.
A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “The seven disabled parking bay in Market Place will have a disabled logo inserted within the surfacing.
“These will be installed along with any further identified snagging works that may be required following the final Road Safety Audit.
“Once installed they will help by defining each of the bays for users.”
