RUSH hour will soon be neigh bother when a new way to travel the A329M is launched.
The Wokingham Paper can exclusively reveal that secret trials have been taking place
to adapt the infamous ‘danger’ road to take horse and trap vehicles.
Last week, some readers reported that they saw the old-fashioned transport being used around the Coppid Beech roundabout area. It turns out that this was a test to make it easier for commuters to get to work in the mornings.
Since last October, part of the A329M has been converted into two single lane carriages – one for traffic for the M4 turn-off, the other for traffic heading between Bracknell and Reading. We have consistently reported on delays, jams and near misses on the road ever since.
Highways and Bridleways England have listened to the concerns and trotted into action.
Under the top secret plan, which we are revealing today, the grass on the central reservation will be cut to make it suitable for horses to camber along.
Special horse stations, complete with hay and nosebags, will be built at Suttons Seeds roundabout and Jennets’ park, with a taxi rank added nearby so commuters can then carry on their journey.
The service will operate before noon and fares will include a sugar lump tax so that the horses get an energy boost between canters.
The horse and trap service will be operated by a new company, which will be wholly owned by Wokingham and Bracknell Regional Council Corporation.
Each trap will be ridden by experienced jockeys and it is hoped that some big names could be signed up to the service including Frankie Dettori and Victoria Pembleton.
Speaking to The Wokingham Paper, Luda Travnja expressed her delight at the proposals.
She said: “Everyone knows that the A329M has become one of the slowest roads in Britain since the changes. It’s now ideal for the horses – no drivers will go too fast to startle the horses and, on a good day, our riders will get from Wokingham to Reading in a faster time.
Highways and Bridleways England will soon be installing special speed cameras to ensure the horses don’t exceed the speed limit.
They use the same technology used at racecourses to determine who has won in a photo finish.
We understand that they have to be loaded carefully and only work before midday.
James Stoker said: “Installing the cameras has been a total mare.
“We need them to ensure stationary drivers aren’t going faster than a snail and the horses aren’t galloping faster than we can film them.”
Another secret trial will take place on the A329M this morning (April 1). If you see it, let us know.
