A329M fatal crash - update

Published 7 Feb 2010 09:00 4 Comments

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THE young man who died in a car crash on Friday night on the A329M near Reading was from Wiltshire, say police.

A further appeal for witnesses has been issued for anyone who saw the blue Fiat Punto, which was driving in the direction of Reading, cross the grass area and collide with a Ford transit van travelling southbound towards Bracknell.

The vehicle left the carriageway and the driver, a man in his twenties, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police would also like to speak to anyone who saw the car prior to the collision.

Sgt James Atkinson said: "We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was travelling northbound on the A329M from Bracknell towards Reading.

"If you saw the blue Fiat Punto or witnessed the car cross the grass area and collide with the Ford transit van please contact us."

Contact Sgt Atkinson at Three Mile Cross roads policing base, via 08458 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Dave gaida
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Feb 8, 16:43
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why no central barrier on this short stretch of motorway ?Not the first time someone has crossed therncentral grass strip on this section.

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TFS
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Feb 9, 11:35
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This section of Motorway is actually under the control of Wokingham Borough Council. It is one of only two motorways in the UK which are maintained by local authorities, rather than Central Government.

The 2007 esimate cost of installing a central crash barrier was about £4.6 million pounds, and would be higher now. The cost would have to be met by the local Council, out of local rates.

There is some provision in the councils budgets for 2008/2009/2010 for "Highways Remedial Urgent Works (Inc safety Barriers; Embankments) but it is a massive amount of money for the council to find.

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pewe
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Feb 9, 14:59
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My comments on the previous report are much the same as Dave Gaida's.

This is not the first cross-over accident or even death on that stretch of road.

It was a needless death and a true tragedy for all concerned.

In straight terms of cost my understanding is that a road death costs about £1m in total.

It would thus seem that Wokingham Council would rather avoid paying out £4.6m than to save lives.

Is there a Wokingham Councillor willing to argue against that?

Can your conscience live with the unnecessary deaths your lack of action has caused?

Why can't the Council make the case for Central Govt. to adopt that stretch of road?

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, Pewe.

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Jake
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Feb 18, 17:42
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They simply don't have the money after the £2.5m being spent on re-structuring the Bridge at Shepherds hill.

Barriers wouldn't be needed if people drove sensibly down the A329. I make the journey every day back from Bracknell and am amazed at the stupidity of 70% of the drivers especially during the recent bad weather.

Most people switching lanes especially around the Winnersh junction that is always backed up between 4pm and 7pm yet people still speed down the left hand lane and suddenly switch to the righthand lane without any regard to people already there.

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