For the past two decades, a woman who lives next to a busy junction has called for changes to be made due to the several accidents that have occurred, including 13 vehicles crashing through her wall and gate. Chris Neen, who has lived in her home by the junction for 21 years, has witnessed over 200 incidents in the time she has lived there. She has heard “that bang” while being in her garden or home and knows exactly what has happened before she comes out, and says the number of accidents is going up and up. Ms Neen estimates that most of them are shunts, but there have been several nasty accidents too.
Thousands of people have already signed a petition, asking for safety improvements to be made at the junction between Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road near Bracknell, Berkshire. Road users have expressed that there’s poor visibility for cars coming from Old Wokingham Road, causing many accidents. Wokingham Borough Council states that it is committed to road safety across the borough, and the petition would be considered as part of the normal process.
Wokingham councilor, Marc Brunel-Walker, who set up the petition to change the junction, says that the scene has been the location of many accidents over the last few years. These accidents have mostly occurred because of people trying to get out, the sightlines, and the speed of the road, which is 40mph. The junction sits on the border between Wokingham Borough Council and Bracknell Forest Council land, making it very complex when trying to figure out who has the responsibility for it, and more importantly, who pays for a solution. Bracknell Forest Council cabinet member, Guy Gillbe, says the authority is committed to ensuring road safety across the borough and supports “measures to address concerns raised by residents”.
Despite the number of petitions and complaints, Wokingham Borough Council has not yet made visible changes to the junction, but they are considering it. However, they still do not know who pays for the solution, leaving residents persistent in finding a solution
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