A petition calling for changes to the controversial California crossroads is set to be debated next week.
\Wokingham Borough Council’s community and corporate overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday (March 4) will review and discuss the petition that was presented at last month’s full council meeting.
It was submitted by Cllr Peter Harper, a Finchampstead ward member) on the changes to the layout and design of California Crossroads.
It noted how the California Crossroads in Finchampstead has undergone a £5.5 million “improvement” scheme, which was aimed at improving pedestrian safety and keeping the traffic flowing.
This replaced a double mini-roundabout junction with a shared space with no pedestrian barriers and low level speed bumps.
The project doesn’t use standard road markings detailed in the highway code, and is instead painted with coloured leaves and abstract patterns.
This, the petition noted, is causing confusion amongst drivers and pedestrians about how to use the junction.
Notes to the meeting said: “The scheme will be assessed one year after opening through a road safety audit, with a review being carried out on any personal injury accidents recorded by the Police.
“In transforming this well-used junction, which reopened last autumn, we set out to create a pleasant, safe environment with a stronger sense of identity, while slowing traffic and making pedestrians more visible.
“Our monitoring suggests that we’re achieving that.”
