A petition to make a ‘dangerous’ crossroads in Caversham safer for children, the elderly, and other pedestrians has received more than 1,000 signatures.
There have been concerns stretching back years that the junction of Westfield Road and Peppard Road, and Prospect Street and Henley Road is unsafe.
It is known as ‘The Last Crumb junction’ after the pub that occupies the crossroads in Prospect Street.
A petition requesting that Reading Borough Council install pedestrian crossings at the junction on Change.org has received more than 1,700 signatures.
Harry Kretchmer, a father and former Conservative councillor, said: “I cross this road every morning and you have to time your crossing to the second – watching four roads, traffic light sequencing and working out the best time to run for it.
Perhaps it’s time for the council to act and to listen to local residents’ concerns.
“Some people feel taken for granted.”
Richard, a fellow commenter on the petition, said: “I’ve used this junction for most of my life.
“It has always been hazardous, with no ‘wait’ between light changes.
“The weight of traffic these days, heavy lorries too, and fast acceleration of modern engines plus impatient lawless drivers who accelerate through on amber and red makes crossing on foot risky and death defying, in daylight and darkness.”
The petition is called ‘Stop a Fatality!’ Install a pedestrian crossing on the Westfield Road/Peppard Road junction!’ It can be signed on Change.org.
Although traffic is controlled by lights that allow pedestrians to cross over pavements, there are no designated crossings on any of the roads at the crossroads.
The issue of safety at the junction was raised in a petition signed by more than 1,000 people in 2022.
Sam, who has signed the latest petition, said: “I think this is the third petition I’ve signed in the last few years, there’s very clearly a community want and need for a better way for pedestrians to use this area.
“Almost daily, I see near misses from cars about to hit each other, children running across the road, elderly hurrying a long as quickly as they can, it’s just not a safe place.
“Thank goodness no one has been hurt so far, it’s honestly a miracle.”
Requests for road changes are considered by the council’s traffic management sub-committee.
According to a report to that committee in January last year, a detailed investigation would be required to estimate the cost of what measures could be installed.
The report stated that the preferred option of the highways department would involve a ‘complete technical refresh’ and replacement of the traffic lights and associated engineering works.
Mr Kretchmer served as a Conservative councillor for Emmer Green ward from 2022 to 2023.
