Public appeal for junction safety improvements gains thousands of supporters

More than 2,000 individuals have joined an appeal advocating for “urgent” safety enhancements at a junction described as a “dangerous death trap.” Last week, Wokingham councillor Marc Brunel-Walker initiated a petition seeking modifications to the intersection of Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road. Road users in Berkshire have reported a lack of visibility for vehicles approaching from Old Wokingham Road. Wokingham Borough Council affirmed its commitment to “road safety across the borough” and stated that the petition would be processed through its normal procedures. Mr Brunel-Walker indicated that the site, located between Bracknell and Wokingham, has experienced “multiple serious multi-car collisions” in the current year alone. He proposed the installation of traffic lights at the junction, which currently requires vehicles from Easthampstead Road to make a sharp turn to merge with the flow of traffic on Old Wokingham Road. In introducing the petition, Mr Brunel-Walker wrote: “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.” Signatories to the petition characterized the junction as a “death trap,” with many claiming they avoid it entirely. Others recounted experiencing a “near miss” at the junction or knowing family members who had been involved in an accident there, suggesting a roundabout or CCTV as suitable measures to encourage drivers to reduce speed. Since the site lies between the boundaries of Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough, the petition is scheduled to be presented to both councils. The BBC has contacted Bracknell Forest Council for comment. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.