Hundreds of neighbours have called for ‘unsafe’ proposals to make improvements to the California Crossroads in Finchampstead to be stopped over fears of primary pupils safety and parking issues.
The crossroads are a focal point in the northern part of the village, with a number of shops, takeaways, professionals and a petrol station operating there.
It serves as the junction for Nine Mile Ride and Finchampstead Road.
For years, Wokingham Borough Council has been working on a project to improve the crossroads, seeking to change it from a car-dominated area to a place where pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can ‘co-exist’ through adaptations to the junction.
Although the council is now hoping to move ahead with the project, a total of 827 people have signed a petition calling for it to be stopped.
That’s because neighbours have raised concerns about the design for the crossroads, loss of car parking and safety for pupils trying to get to Nine Mile Ride Primary School.
There are worries that two out of seven car parking spaces would be lost on the Co-op side of the junction as well.
A business owner has argued that the project does not properly address issues at the crossroads. Jazz Brar, owner of the Londis and Bobs Fish and Chips, argued it’s not just the disruption that upgrade works will bring that he is concerned about, and is calling for the council to delay the project for a rethink.
He said: “I have been going to these meetings with these meetings with the council regarding the development of the crossroads since they started talking about it in 2017/2018.
“I just don’t think what they are suggesting now is really the best way forward to improve that whole area, it’s just going to cause problems..
“I’m not sure they’re going the right way for what they are trying to achieve. They’re cutting down on the number of spaces, they’re not dealing with the traffic going past the Co-op which the school has many issues with.
“They have to walk across a road, it’s not a particularly safe route.”
Mr Brar also argued that the council is trying to press ahead with the project because it fears it will lose developer contribution funding achieved from the nearby Arborfield Garrison major development.
A total of 827 people have signed a petition calling for the project to be halted, with 432 in person signatures and 395 online using Change.org.
The petition was handed in by councillor Charles Margetts (Conservative, Finchampstead North) at a full council meeting on Thursday, March 23.
READ MORE: Bin changes in Finchampstead and Wokingham to stay despite 2000 strong petition
Cllr Margetts said: ”This petition clearly shows that the vast majority of Finchampstead residents and businesses are opposed to this scheme.
“It will cost the taxpayer £5.4 million and will deliver no benefits in terms of traffic flow or road safety.
“Myself and cllr Peter Harper (Conservative, Finchampstead North) have twice asked the council to consult with residents again to find out what they want.
“The Liberal Democrat coalition that runs the council has refused to do this.
“The residents and local businesses of Finchampstead have spoken very clearly and said they do not want this scheme.
“It is now time for the council to listen and cancel this scheme.”
A council official has rebuffed calls for a fresh consultation or the cancellation of the scheme.
Chris Easton, assistant director for highways and transport at the council, stated ‘nothing has changed significantly’ since the last consultation in 2019, and that a further consultation would add to delays caused the coronavirus pandemic, emergency Thames Water roadworks, and construction supply issues.
He also pointed out that the proposals are supported by Finchampstead Parish Council, which has invested in the project.
Mr Easton said: “We’ve already consulted extensively on this project to address any concerns that residents and businesses might have, and revised our proposals accordingly.
“To consult again would just cause further unnecessary delays and costs to a scheme that will greatly enhance the area for everyone.”
Mr Easton also explained that a timeframe could not be defined for the project as a bidding process has begun for its delivery.
When the contractor is appointed, there will be a ‘lead-in’ period of nine months.
Mr Easton added: “We’ve committed to forming a steering group with local parish and borough councillors, as well as representatives of the nearby school and businesses that might be affected, to ensure we continue to understand any concerns and do all we can to overcome them.
“We also know some people feel we didn’t communicate enough about this in the past, so we’ll put together a communications plan to ensure we do better in future – and we’ll be in touch as soon as there are any significant updates.”
Mr Easton confirmed funding for the project comes from developer contributions, and would therefore need to be retuned if they aren’t spent.
In closing, he said: “We would strongly emphasise that we aren’t just spending the money for the sake of it.
“There are clear, long-standing planning obligations which have to be met – and we have every intention of doing so, as failing to meet these would result in a missed opportunity to make this area safer, more accessible and more pleasant for everyone.”
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