Work to complete the new Shinfield Eastern Relief Road has hit ANOTHER delay after a motorist crashed into the roadworks on Friday night.
The A327 Reading Road between Shinfield and Arborfield was closed over the weekend to allow contractors Hochtief to complete remedial works, helping to bring to an end the long-delayed road project.
However, Hochtief has revealed that the weekend’s works hit a snag after a driver carried on driving through the closed area, crashing into the work taking place.
As a result, the final road surface and markings could not be placed as planned, forcing the delay of the new road’s opening.
A spokesperson for Hochtief said: “A serious incident occurred on Friday night, in which a car was driven by a member of the public through the closure and crashed into the excavation where the works were taking place.
“The driver was arrested by Thames Valley Police and, luckily, nobody was injured.
“Unfortunately, this impacted on the critical activity for the weekend and, as such, the final layer of road surface and road markings could not be laid as planned.
“We have worked closely with Wokingham Borough Council officers over the weekend to ensure the road could be re-opened on time and the remaining surfacing and road markings will be completed at the earliest available opportunity. Further details will be advertised once agreed with all parties.”
Now, the race is on, despite the freezing temperatures, to finish the road.
The spokesperson added: “The overnight work to carry out the final surfacing and road markings at the new Cutbush Lane (East) / SERR junction will go ahead this evening as planned.
“Completion of this work is subject to weather conditions.”
The road was originally due to open in summer 2016, but has constantly been delayed. One of the reasons is that the contractors had their licence to operate temporarily revoked over health and safety fears.
Residents are also concerned after plans to install an acoustic noise dampening fence were dropped last year.
