Thousands call for improved safety at junction

A petition has called for changes to the junction between Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road in Berkshire

More than 2,000 people have joined an appeal calling for "urgent" safety improvements to a junction described as a "dangerous death trap".

Wokingham councillor Marc Brunel-Walker started a petition last week calling for changes to the junction between Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road.

Berkshire road users said there was a lack of visibility for cars coming from Old Wokingham Road.

Wokingham Borough Council said it was "committed to road safety across the borough" and the petition would be considered as part of the normal process.

The site, which falls between Bracknell and Wokingham, has had "multiple serious multi-car collisions" this year alone, according to Mr Brunel-Walker.

He said traffic lights should be installed at the junction, which requires cars coming from Easthampstead Road to turn at a sharp bend as they meet a flow of cars on Old Wokingham Road.

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."

Signees to the petition described the junction as a "death trap", and many claimed they avoided it altogether.

Others said they had experienced a "near miss" at the junction, or knew family members who had had an accident there, and suggested a roundabout or CCTV would be suitable to encourage drivers to slow down.

As the site falls between the borders of Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough, the petition will be presented to both councils.

The BBC has approached Bracknell Forest Council for comment.