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MOTORISTS have voiced concerns about road safety in their village after three accidents reportedly took place.
Traffic calming measures in Arborfield and the surrounding area have been criticised, and some believe they have either been incorrectly placed or are not fit for purpose.
Arborfield resident James Daniell believes some of the village’s installations are doing more harm than good and claims the council is “waiting for someone to get injured”.
He said: “Everyone is totally gobsmacked and many residents have written to the council.
“I have sent numerous emails outlining the dangers of these traffic calming measures, but they’ve fallen on deaf ears.”
On Friday, January 6, a recovery truck was called to retrieve a transit van from a ditch outside Lockey Farm Shop, Sindlesham Road.
Mr Daniell cited installations on Eversley Road, Reading Road and School Lane as particularly problematic in his village, but said the issue was borough-wide.
He also questioned how effective the traffic calming measures are in doing their intended job.
He said: “The one by the village hall, when you’re coming down from Reading, many people end up just going onto the grass and into the car wash because they don’t want to wait. What’s the point of that?”
Arborfield councillor Gary Cowan has echoed the concerns of his ward’s residents. He said: “To my knowledge, there have been three accidents connected with the build-outs, which are part of the traffic calming scheme.
“Fortunately there have been no fatalities. The biggest problem seems to be related to drivers rushing to get through the build outs before the oncoming vehicles get there irrespective of who has the right of way.
“The calming has created other issues such as increased traffic on the very narrow Church Lane and residents of Rickman’s Close are having difficulty getting out of their road due to the increased traffic now coming via Observer way and heading towards Wokingham.
“I must admit, I am concerned by the worrying level of incidents to date and I am investigating what options are available to review the negative aspects of the scheme.”
In October 2022, Wokingham Today reported on the installation of a controversial give way sign on Reading Road, between Shinfield and Arborfield.
Several drivers complained about a lack of visibility of oncoming traffic, a sentiment which Mr Daniell fully supports.
“You can’t see what’s coming around the corner,” he explained.
“Motorists drive faster when they see their chance to get through and end up on the same side as on-coming traffic, it’s so dangerous.”
He believes the intent to incorporate traffic calming measures is a good one, but believes the placement makes it a serious risk for motorists.
Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, explained:
“Independent Road Safety Audits have now taken place by an independent road safety auditor and the police, which conclude that the new layout is safe and meets Department for Transport requirements.
“The new traffic calming measures were part of the Arborfield Village Improvement scheme, which was designed to encourage the use of the new relief road, meeting the requirements in the planning permission for the development. Residents were consulted multiple times, starting in 2019, as part of the design stage, including meeting with our highways teams to look through detailed designs.
“We are unable to comment on individual reported road incidents at this time. However, when there are personal injuries, we receive formal reports from the police which identify the cause of the incident. If any incidents were found to be caused by the design of the scheme, then we would investigate and amend it as appropriate.”
