A senior Wokingham politician has said the council’s “thoughts are with everyone involved” after a serious crash at a known accident blackspot in Finchampstead.
Wokingham Borough Council issued an update after police closed the Memorial Cross junction last week following a vehicle overturning.
The junction of the B3016 and B3348 – where Jubilee Road, Rectory Hill and The Ridges meet – was shut on Friday, May 22, after a car flipped onto its side.
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone involved in Friday’s collision.
“The war memorial was relocated by Finchampstead Parish Council to improve access for residents paying their respects, particularly during Remembrance events.
“We continue to work closely with the parish council to understand the cause of recent incidents at the junction and what further improvements are needed.
“In the meantime, we have refreshed the road markings, added new ‘slow’ markings and installed additional signage to make the junction clearer for drivers.”
The crash has renewed concern over delays to safety improvements at the junction, which has been considered hazardous for some time.
According to villagers, a car travelling from Crowthorne and turning right towards California Crossroads is understood to have clipped the high kerb before overturning.
Earlier this year, the borough council installed cameras and speed monitoring equipment on all approaches to analyse driver behaviour.
Measures already introduced include refreshed road markings, warning signage and pink coloured surfacing, though residents say their impact has been limited.
Councillor Simon Weeks, who says he has witnessed the aftermath of seven collisions at the site, said: “Any change to a road’s surface and signage tends to draw people’s attention. The red tarmac could only add to the safety.”
However, some residents have criticised the pace and scope of changes.
Ian Adnams said: “It was the parish council who removed the monument and promised improvements to the junction which they have so far failed to deliver. The borough council is not culpable.
“Finchampstead Parish Council knew before they started promoting ‘junction improvements’ that Wokingham Borough Council had no plans beyond what has now been delivered.”
A spokesperson for Finchampstead Parish Council said it was “extremely concerned” by the latest incident and confirmed it is continuing to work with the borough council.
They said traffic data and vehicle movements are being assessed to ensure “the safest and best possible outcome”, adding that it is important the right design is agreed before any final decision.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews attended the incident, adding that no one was trapped and firefighters worked to make the scene safe.
