Thousands Advocate for Junction Safety Improvements

An appeal advocating for “urgent” safety enhancements at an intersection, which has been labeled a “dangerous death trap,” has garnered support from over 2,000 individuals. Last week, Wokingham councillor Marc Brunel-Walker initiated a petition seeking modifications to the junction between Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road. According to Berkshire road users, vehicles approaching from Old Wokingham Road experience insufficient visibility. Wokingham Borough Council stated its commitment to “road safety across the borough” and confirmed that the petition would undergo consideration through its standard procedures. Mr Brunel-Walker reported that the location, situated between Bracknell and Wokingham, has experienced “multiple serious multi-car collisions” within the current year. He advocated for the installation of traffic lights at the junction, noting that vehicles arriving from Easthampstead Road must navigate a sharp bend to merge with traffic on Old Wokingham Road. In his introduction to the petition, Mr Brunel-Walker penned: “The trauma is immense and the pleas for change constant. “Yet, despite this, necessary safety improvements to this gravely hazardous junction remain elusive.”We ask that Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Borough Council take immediate action to improve the conditions at Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road.” Those who signed the petition characterized the junction as a “death trap,” with numerous individuals stating they completely avoid it. Additional signatories reported experiencing a “near miss” at the intersection or knowing relatives involved in accidents there, proposing a roundabout or CCTV as suitable measures to prompt drivers to reduce speed. Given that the location lies between the boundaries of Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough, the petition is slated for presentation to both councils. Bracknell Forest Council has been contacted by the BBC for a statement. For updates from BBC Berkshire, follow on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Further information on our external linking policy is available.