Wokingham Labour is calling on Wokingham borough council to make roads safer for families who worry a child could be killed by speeding motorists.
They want to see a pedestrian crossing built in Shinfield on Deardon Way at its junction with Bolton Drive, warning that since works to alter the road layout were completed their estate has been turned into a racetrack.
At last month’s full council meeting, Shinfield ward councillor Andrew Gray presented a petition signed by residents desperate for the traffic calming measures to be installed.
The petition is supported by Earley and Woodley MP Yuan Yang, whose constituency includes Shinfield parish.
Cllr Gray said that while the estate was still under construction, many families with young children had already moved in and feel that the council has been ignoring their requests for action.
The families say they have problems crossing the road on their way to nursery or school. Others are afraid to walk their dogs in case speeding motorists clip their pets.
He said: “These families were promised a garden village estate with parks, walks and a slower pace of life compared to the main roads and motorway that are close by.
“We must ensure that is delivered.
“If drivers are ignoring speed limits, then they will not see a child until it is too late.
“By taking pro-active measures, drivers will moderate themselves while driving through Shinfield Meadows.”
Cllr Gray said many residents have raised the problems with him, saying since the road layout had been changed things have got worse.
One grandparent said the road was not safe anymore, while another resident reported multiple incidents of cars screeching to a halt and car horns sounding at all hours of the day. They warned that the new layout encouraged people to drive faster despite the narrow road making 30mph feel dangerously fast.
“It’s shocking how fast people drive here,” another said.
“This is a family-dense area and without measures in place to slow speeds there is a genuine risk of a terrible accident happening.”
They called for speed bumps in addition to the crossing, saying no one liked them but they were effective traffic calming measures.
Cllr Gray said Wokingham Labour councillors listen to residents and handing in the petition means the council’s highways team will understand the strong backing that Shinfield residents have towards road safety measures.
But he warned, this wasn’t an attempt to create a kneejerk reaction.
“Council officers must perform a technical assessment of the locations, and the need will be balanced against the need at other locations, and the total funding available.
“It is these criteria that are officers will consider whether there is local support or not.
“This petition demonstrates there is local support,” he concluded.
