AN IRATE motorist threatened to stab a construction worker at California Crossroads earlier this week.
And yesterday, a motorist deliberately drove into another worker, hitting them and fleeing the scene.
A third worker was threatened by another motorist who wanted to punch them.
Wokingham Borough Council says as a result of these threats, its staff will now be forced to wear body cams – and police are being informed, with car registration plates being submitted with the reports.
The threatened stabbing happened on Tuesday, while crews were setting up traffic controls on Nine Mile Ride.
Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways at Wokingham Boroyugh Council, said: “This is completely unacceptable. These hardworking people have been threatened with stabbing and intentionally hit by a car just for doing their job.
“Road workers are there to do a job and to earn a living. How would the rest of us like it if our lives were threatened while we were just doing our jobs?
“This is completely unacceptable and we will use every power available to us to prosecute those responsible for such reprehensible behaviour.”
He added: “To those who are going around intentionally stirring up trouble in the area, I am asking you to stop and think of the consequences of what you are doing.”
The seven-month project at California Crossroads has been in the works for several years.
Work has been disrupted by emergency works to repair a gas leak on The Ridges.
The council says it has been working with energy firm SGN to limit the impact of these works on the California Crossroads project.
The aim of the California Crossroads project is to revamp the centre of Finchampstead village and making the crossroads safer for pedestrians and cyclists by redesigning access to the car parking areas, and installing new streetlights, plantings, bollards and totems.
As part of the first phase, Finchampstead Road will be closed from the Ratepayers Hall to the crossroads and Nine Mile Ride will be closed from just past Gorse Ride to the crossroads.
The initial phases have also been delayed as a result of the abuse, and council staff worked overnight last night (Wednesday) to catch up.
The council is asking the community for tolerance while the works are being done.
To help people stay in touch with the planned works, it has set up a newsletter.
For more details, log on to the council’s website, wokingham.gov.uk/newsletter
