Villagers in Finchampstead are appealing to improve the safety of one of the most dangerous junctions for motorists and particularly cyclists in after multiple recent accidents.
The three-way junction of The Ridges, Jubilee Road and Rectory Hill in Finchampstead stands at the end of an ancient ridge, and looks down over rolling fields stretching towards the river Blackwater.
The junction – which has a 40 mph speed limit – has become a blackspot for accidents after a crash involving an ambulance occurred on May 23, 2025, and more accidents on November 18, November 19, and January 21 this year.
This was once the most iconic position in Finchampstead because for over 100 years it was the site of the village’s landmark – its war memorial.
The cross was consecrated on Sunday, October 31, 1920, and welcomed travellers arriving from Crowthorne or California crossroads with its majestic silhouette – like a beacon across the landscape.
For the rest of the 20th century, the cross symbolised Finchampstead village and Finchampstead was the village with the cross on the hill.
However, since the advent of the motor car, the junction has never been safe, with numerous accidents occurring due to the lack of visibility.
There is reportedly zero visibility, particularly for traffic heading south from California crossroads or north from Finchampstead Village, and cyclists have always taken their lives in their hands, trying to turn right across the traffic from Rectory Hill towards the Ridges.
At the end of the full council meeting on January 22, Cllr Peter Harper was asked a question about the junction.
He said: “There have been a significant number of accidents at the old war memorial junction in Finchampstead over the last six months, including a car rolled onto its side.
“What is the council planning to do to prevent future accidents at this junction?
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, the executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said it was difficult to draw conclusions from reports from residents and councillors.
He quoted the police data, and said: “The most frequent causes [of accidents here] attributed by the police are: drivers failing to look properly; mis-judging other vehicles or travelling too fast for the conditions.
“Only one collision at the junction referenced the road layout – the only case since 2020.
“Overall the pattern points to issues with driver behaviour rather than road defects.
“Additional chevrons and markings were added to the junction in 2023. Officers have reviewed the existing warning signs and believe they remain appropriate.
“We are in the process of renewing the white lines on the main road around the bend when we are next able to do so.
“The costs of re-modelling a junction such as this would be the equivalent of many years of our pedestrian crossing programme, for example and we have to allocate our limited available money to respond to the most pressing issues.
“There isn’t clear evidence to support further changes.”
However, Finchampstead parish council is not willing to wait or rely on police evidence.
It intends to spend housing developers’ money to fund an improvement to the junction.
This is currently out for tender but if accepted the work is expected to happen this year.
Cllr Harper replied that evidence had been supplied to the Wokingham highways department of recent accidents which wouldn’t appear yet in the police statistics, and the people of Finchampstead couldn’t wait.
“These accidents are happening now. Another accident, as you know, happened yesterday. We sent photographic evidence of what was happening with police in attendance.
“It’s not down to excessive speed – it’s the nature of that junction – where even an ambulance that was waiting to cross from The Greyhound Pub through to The Ridges was involved in an accident.
“These are professional drivers who know what they’re doing. It’s the junction layout which is causing the problem.
“It’s a real problem that needs tackling now. We can’t wait for the Parish Council re-jigging of the junction.”
Councillor Adrian Betteridge said: “Possibly the only thing that can be done is re-modelling the junction.”
The speed limit at the junction remains at 40 miles-per hour.
In February 2025, Wokingham Today reported on mooted changes at the junction.
