PLANS to revamp California Crossroads have been delayed again.
The scheme, originally proposed in 2015, will see a redesign of the crossroads at the junction of Finchampstead Road and Nine Mile Ride Road.
Wokingham Borough Council believes this will form a key focus point for businesses, schools and residents in the area.
The council launched a consultation in late 2018 on the project and hoped to start the project soon after, but a number of issues have caused delays to commencing the work.
Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “We’d hoped to start a few years ago, during summer months, but it has fallen behind for reasons beyond our control.
“These include essential South East Water works which closed Nine Mile Ride for nine months, followed by the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 and then the closure of The Ridges at Finchampstead due to a landslip.”
The council put the project out to tender in October last year with a view to starting this summer, but the scheme received no bids.
Cllr Fishwick said this is down to it being “an exceptionally difficult time for highways contractors”.
He added: “Prices are highly unstable due to events here and abroad, affecting the cost and supply of all materials, and contractors are unable to provide fixed prices.
“We’ve updated our contract to reflect these unusually volatile conditions and are hopeful we’ll receive bids this time. Once a contractor is appointed, we’ll do all we can to ensure the work is completed to the revised timescale.”
Cllr Charles Margetts, Conservative councillor for Finchampstead North, would like to see the scheme consulted on again due to the time elapsed since the first consultation.
He said: “The response in 2019 was lukewarm with the main feedback being that the proposal did not improve traffic flow through the junction.
“However a lot of things have happened since 2019, such as covid and more people working from home.
“There are new traders at California Crossroads and many people have moved in and out of Finchampstead. Most importantly a lot of the houses have been built at Arborfield so instead of relying on forecasts the council can now see real traffic patterns.”
Cllr Margetts is not alone in his efforts to get another consultation launched.
Cllr Peter Harper, a fellow Conservative councillor in the Finchampstead North ward, also asked for this in October – it was refused.
Cllr Margetts added: “The design reduces the traffic flow in the junction and reduces the number of car parking spaces significantly.
“The shopkeepers, garage, restaurants and school all have significant concerns over the current design and the council has not consulted with them or discussed the scheme with them.
“The proposals need to be revised to represent the needs of the community.”
Cllr Margetts accepts the area would benefit from an upgrade but sees this as “the wrong scheme at the wrong time” and feels the current crossroads works “as it is”.
He also believes the disruption and financial impact of the scheme outweighs the “little benefit” it will offer.
He said: “We will have to live with the six months of disruption to see a scheme delivered which worsens traffic flow and reduces the amount of car parking.
“The £5.5 million allocated for this project could be spent much more wisely on upgrading the crossroads with a scheme that delivers benefits for local residents and to leave several million spare for other key projects.
“The design has been altered and amended since it was first produced in 2018 and there has been no consultation or discussion with any of the Finchampstead borough councillors. We are put here to represent the interests of the community but denied any say in the process.”
Cllr Fishwick was keen to remind residents that the project will be funded by housing developers through S106 payments outlined in the planning at Arborfield Garrison.
He also assured businesses that the council would “do its best” to fit the works around any requirements.
He added: “We’ve already consulted on the scheme and amended the design where possible to reflect the community’s feedback – with some changes made to proposed parking and crossing arrangements, for example.
“We’ll share updates with residents as soon and often as we can and would like to thank them for their patience.
“Once this is finished, it will create a real village centre for the area with improved access for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Bids are expected to be invited from contractors in the coming weeks with the works expected to start in the summer of 2024
