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The California Cross junction in Finchampstead, Berkshire, has been at the center of a heated debate. The product of a broader £5.5m seven-month revamp, the double roundabout, and five crossings with distinctive leaf designs has divided opinion amongst locals, with 1,400 signing a petition calling for its removal. Residents have raised concerns about the cost, as well as the safety of a junction that doesn’t exactly follow convention. However, the redesign was part of a water project to revamp the junction, which includes drainage work.
The junction consists of two roundabouts, each with three exits. Each exit has a white leaf crossing for pedestrians. Instead of a zebra crossing with black and white stripes, the designers opted for a distinctive white leaf design. Instead of a standard central island, there’s an array of rainbow leaves painted on the road. The changes were made as part of a broader project for the area, excluding the redesign.
A local pedestrian Victoria noted that the design was a “nice idea in theory” but, in reality, there was too much uncertainty about what the rules were. The drivers were confused about who had priority. She had to stop her statement about her near-misses from being interrupted by a van which narrowly missed a car behind them. Another pedestrian, Samuel, believed that the roundabout was unsafe because people did not know when they had priority. He added that “it’s horrendous. It’s dangerous.”
Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for transport, Martin Alder, said the aim of the design was to slow down traffic and make drivers more aware of pedestrians. The Council said there was not enough space for a traditional junction. However, locals believe that it should be redesigned. Even with the petition against the design hitting 1,400 signatures, there are no changes occurring soon. The Council said the junction is being monitored continually
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