Residents across Wokingham borough have reacted to the news that the controversial California Crossroads has put up for several awards.
The project to redesign the junction in Finchampstead was completed in September 2024 and has split opinion between users.
It was announced last week that the ‘innovative’ junction has been praised by experts for improving its surroundings and making them safer.
The council’s transformation of the junction has been named Best Community Project in the Landor LINKS Active Travel Directory and Yearbook 2025/26.
It has also been shortlisted for two categories in this year’s Highway Awards.
However, the news has been met with outrage and criticism by some residents.
Taking to social media to voice their opinions on the award nominations, one user said: “This is incredibly dangerous. We drove through before we’d heard about it and it was so confusing. We stopped at the ‘leaves’ as we weren’t sure whether it was a crossing or not, but you could be forgiven for not realising and cause a serious accident. We have standard road marking for a reason, I’ve never seen anything so ridiculous.”
Another user said: “I literally don’t even know what junction it is, is it supposed to be a roundabout? If so at least put a small token white circle in the middle and give drivers at least some sort of clue. So stressful going through there.”
Another commenter on Facebook said: “No.. it’s so dangerous especially as people not local to the area don’t understand it. Have had a number of occasions when I’ve almost been hit by cars not realising it’s supposed to be a roundabout. Someone get an award for it? Why?”
However, some users have a more favourable view of the junction and have praised its design.
One user said: “I think it is pretty much the same as before in terms of use ability. Traffic seems to flow very well as long as everyone is courteous to each other and applies the common principles for giving way I think it work very well. Better than a monstrous roundabout.
Another added: “I love driving through there, thinks its a great junction. If drivers read the road properly. Broken lines mean stop on and road so no different from any other road.”
