As Highways England prepare to hand back the A329M to Wokingham Borough Council, two petitions have been launched in a bid to restore the road to how it was.
The first has been set up by David Luck, a member of a Fix The A329M Facebook group, and aims to “Instruct Highways England to revisit the recent changes to the A329(M)”.
It continues: “A £5M project has been completed as part of the M4 ‘Smart Motorway’ scheme; however the changes to the A329(M) have impacted motorists in terms of congestion AND more importantly SAFETY.
“There is a general consensus among motorists & residents that the road is now ‘un-safe’ and un-fit.
“This feeling has been covered by a number of local papers, local BBC and ITV (TV & radio) news slots, social media and has become an agenda for local MPs & councillors.”
Set up on the change.org website on Monday morning, it has already attracted more than 180 signatures.
If it reaches 10,000, then the Government will respond and if its reaches 100,000 then the petition will be considered for a debate in Parliament.
Wokingham’s MP, John Redwood, is pleased that the petition has been set up.
He told The Wokingham Paper: “I am taking it [the A329M issues] up with Ministers, Highways England and the Borough. An adjournment style debate would not add much to what I am already doing, but it is good to have an expression of opinion from the many who have to use the road.”
A second petition has been set up by UKIP councillor Phil Ray and is aimed at Wokingham Borough Council. If it reaches 1,500 signatures then the council will discuss it at a council meeting.
Mr Ray said: “I have created a petition on Wokingham Borough Councils Website. If it reaches 1,500 signatures they will need to discuss it at a full Council Meeting, the next one is scheduled for March 24.
“Any person who lives, works or studies within the Borough can sign the petition. Annoyingly, the system only accepts one signature per IP address so if for example you and your partner both want to sign you need to do so from different locations.
“You also need to validate your signature using the link in the email the system sends you for your signature to be counted. All in all a bit of a hassle but here’s the link.”
To sign the Change.org petition, click here.
To sign the Wokingham Borough Council petition, click here.
