DRIVERS currently face daily tailbacks in Wokingham, and can expect to do so for several months more.
Diversions (to avoid development at the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road, where a roundabout is being constructed as part of The South Wokingham Distributor Road) are leading to congestion north and south of Wokingham Railway Station crossing.
Online and in-person discussions suggest that people are becoming increasingly frustrated.
Some describe relatively short journeys that currently take more than an hour to complete.
Others have highlighted a problem with phasing of the traffic lights at Wokingham Railway Station’s level crossing.
One resident said: “There is traffic chaos in Barkham Road and Station Road.
“It’s an inconvenience to everyone entering the town this way – the only way for many – and it should be easy to rectify.
“It’s blatantly obvious that traffic heading north and south over the station level crossing is not being allowed sufficient time, whereas traffic crossing from Wellington Road to Station Approach, is very light because of the closure, with around three to six cars crossing per session.”
“I am quite upset and concerned that Wokingham Borough Council is saying that they are doing their best to keep traffic flowing.
“The reality is that nothing has been done to improve it where it is needed most – at the railway level crossing by the station.
“Looking at the traffic map for the area involved I can see traffic tailing back from the level crossing, past Molly Millars Lane, past Woosehill Lane almost to Blagrove Lane, with more cars trying to enter.
“There’s almost a kilometre of stationary traffic.
“How can this be classed as ‘keeping the traffic moving’?
“As this situation is projected to last for months it is imperative that WBC takes immediate remedial action.”
Wokingham Borough Councillor Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “The traffic signals at the Wokingham Station crossing operate using MOVA technology, which automatically adjusts timings based on traffic demand.
“However, we have recently identified some issues with the traffic light controller system and are working to address these and further optimise the junction’s operation as much as possible.”
