SHINFIELD Parish Council will amend traffic calming proposals after residents strongly opposed them in a recent consultation which received more than 400 responses.
Many residents voiced concerns over chicanes similar to those installed in neighbouring Arborfield.
Following a working party meeting on Tuesday, February 21, Clerk Bruce Winton confirmed that some plans would be modified while others would be completely dropped.
Mr Winton said: “It was clear from the consultation results that there was no support for the type of chicanes that are in Arborfield and as a Parish Council we agree that there are many issues around those particular chicanes that we would not want to see in Shinfield Parish.
“We are currently developing a revised set of plans which take into account what we’ve learned from the consultation. Some of our initial proposals will be completely dropped, others will be modified and some new proposals will be developed, particularly with regards to key road crossings points.”
He added that the parish council would be providing an update in the coming weeks.
Residents had expressed their concerns about the initial proposals. A Shinfield resident said: “These proposals are looking to solve problems that, as residents, we largely don’t agree exist. They will likely only create new issues, including an arguably greater risk of accidents and further congestion during peak times.
“There is a wealth of anecdotal evidence and research to indicate that chicanes for one are not the answer. One only has to look to nearby Arborfield, where accidents have occurred and a petition to remove the recently installed chicanes received significant support. We don’t want these on our roads.”
“Shinfield Parish Council is urged to present a properly evidenced business case and budget for these plans, which could cost £10,000s at a time when money shouldn’t be being wasted.”
A public consultation meeting was held at School Green Centre on January 28.
The debate continued on social media, with some residents discussing the topic on Facebook.
A commenter said: “What a disgrace. The majority of these representative calming measures are flat out dangerous. Islands positioned on blind corners and on roads without any real need.
“We should be looking to achieve a smooth flow of traffic, safe for all, not gridlock and more accidents.”
Another resident added: “Totally unnecessary, why would you want to stop the flow of traffic?”
Mr Winton said the plans were set out to reduce the overall volume of traffic, discouraging motorists from cutting through the parish, and to reduce speeding.
He explained: “We were delighted to receive over 400 responses to our traffic consultation and we have had a lot of useful feedback and comments which have given us cause to pause and reflect before we move on to the next phase.
“The intention is that the final measures result in a net improvement in travel times for residents. We also want to encourage more walking and cycling in the Parish.”
Mr Winton added that the parish council would look to work with Wokingham Borough Council in the near future to bring forward reduced speed limits and reconsider the provision of road crossings at key points in the parish, as per findings from the consultation.
