A PENSIONER who is proud to live in Wokingham Borough says driving along the A329m makes her feel as if she lives in a third world country.

Pam Hannington made the comments following numerous complaints to the council to sweep up the litter surrounding the gateway between Reading and Bracknell.

Mrs Hannington, from Woodley, has enlisted the help of Rob Wilson MP in her pursuit to get the road cleared up, but she claims the pair are getting little results.

" The litter along that road is disgraceful", said Mrs Hannington, of Vulcon Close.

"I drive along there and feel as if I am in a third world country.

"If you go around the new park and ride area there are all these road signs abandoned.

"I have complained to Wokingham Borough Council many times."

But the council says the road signs are the responsibility of its contractor and government cuts has prevented the council from cleaning highways "as often as before".

Mr Wilson wrote letters to the borough council echoing Mrs Hannington's concerns.

In response, Matt Davey, Wokingham Borough Council's head of highways, said the road signs were unsightly and claimed they were a hazard, which he later retracted.

The letter, read to the Chronicle, said: "Thank you for the letter regarding abandoned road work signs reported by one of your constituents.

"I too am frustrated by these signs as they are unsightly and a hazard to road users. I have asked our contractors to check the area."

The letter was dated February 17 this year, but Mrs Hannington says she is still waiting for things to be cleared up.

She added: "None of those road signs have been touched and that letter was nearly two months ago now.

"We went to Reading on the park and ride and we were sitting there trying to put the world right and even the bus driver was saying about the state of it.

"I am proud to live in this area but I am ashamed of that road."

The road has came under fire last year following a change in the layout.

"What have they achieved?" asked Mrs Hannington, who uses the road weekly.

"They have blocked off a lane and blocked off the hard shoulder."

She slammed the council for not arranging for the litter on the A329m to be cleared up part of the council's annual clear up.

Mr Davey added: “We’ll chase our highways contractor again to collect the road signs, but please be assured they are not a hazard.

"As for the litter, we find it very frustrating that motorists throw it out indiscriminately and not take it home. Because of budget cuts – we’ve lost 50 per cent in our main grant and remain the lowest funded local authority in the country - we cannot litter pick on highways as often as before. But we will ask our contractor to take a look.”

What do you think about the road? Let us know by commenting below or emailing news@readingchronicle.co.uk