FRUSTRATED residents have slammed the council after being left in the dark over the installation of a new pedestrian crossing.

Kelvin and Karen Forrester were stunned to discover the crossing was going to be put right outside their front door, having received no warning from the authority.

The family, who live on Nightingale Road, Woodley, say they are fully behind improving road safety after Wokingham Borough Council pulled a number of crossing patrol wardens throughout the area.

As well as the lack of notice, Mr Forrester believes the move will restrict him from making any future improvements to his garden.

He said: "We have lived her for over 30 years and suffering with ill health we do not know what the future will hold regarding mobility.

"We received a letter to tell us that the works were starting soon and that the road would be closed, but we had no idea it was going to be directly outside our door.

"It was only when I went outside and spoke to some workmen. They were marking the road and they told me what was happening.

"I explained how we had not been told by the council and he [the workman] said we had no chance of doing anything to our garden.

"We are really upset about this and I was quite shocked at the time."

Councillors made further changes to crossing patrol services in a bid to save money earlier this year.

This involved the removal of the traditional lollipop ladies from South Lake, Willow Bank and Woodley CofE Primary School, in favour of crossings.

Mr Forrester added: "Although our children have grown up, we have grandchildren who attend Southlake School and are very disappointed at the loss of our lollipop lady.

"Having said that we are disgusted that no one has even approached us to say that they intend to put this crossing right outside our house."

The family believe the works will be carried out in the coming days, despite lodging their complaints to the council and Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East.

Councillor Anthony Pollock, the executive member for highways and transport for Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We are sorry that the Forresters weren’t informed of the work and sympathise with their concerns. We’re working with Highways to ensure all residents are contacted in the future.

“We’re committed to providing safe pedestrian facilities for all residents, and want to ensure crossings are located as close as possible to school crossing patrol points to provide safe crossing for school children.

“Having reviewed possible locations, unfortunately we have been unable to find an alternative site for our crossing on Nightingale Road.”