Neighbours have slammed the construction of speed bumps in east Reading, which they say will “trash the neighbourhood”.

A series of initiatives to tackle speeding in a 20mph zone in east Reading was approved in January.

This included speed bumps on Kendrick Road, which have been criticised by residents, who have called for the works to be halted “until the views of residents have been considered”.

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Edward Hammond, who lives on Kendrick Road, said: “In essence, the council plans to trash our neighbourhood by flooding Kendrick Road with speed bumps.

“They completely ignored resident’s objections on grounds of the damaged visual amenity, noise, vibration, and pollution.

“They didn’t even consult Abbey School, whose traffic needs are very significant.

“Something not mentioned was the Reading Half Marathon. If it was loaded with speed bumps, it would look more like a cross-country run.

Reading Half Marathon on Kendrick Road

Reading Half Marathon on Kendrick Road

“The question has been raised about whether there could be any case for judicial review since they did not take all the information in the objection letters into account at the meeting.”

And he said Cllr David Absolom has told him he could organise a petition to have the speed bumps removed.

But Mr Hammond said putting the speed bumps in place and then removing them would be “a complete waste of council tax payers’ money”.

Dennis Wood, another resident on Kendrick Road, said “the majority were strongly against the proposals and this should have been brought out in the discussion at the meeting.”

Councillors approved the plans at Thursday’s Traffic Management sub-committee (TMSC), on January 14.

Responding to the concerns, councillor Tony Page, lead member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “A detailed report went to the TMSC on January 14 which included 17 pages summarising a large number of responses to the consultation.

“There was a fairly even split between objections (19) and supporters (27), and a few additional last-minute objections were circulated.

“TMSC unanimously decided to proceed with implementing the scheme, which will be monitored and kept under close review.

“Further reports on the effectiveness of the measures will come to TMSC in due course”.

Concerns were raised over safety, congestion, pollution and the impact on conservation areas.

What are the new measures and why are they being introduced?

The measures that are being put into place are:

  • Speed humps and cushions
  • Priority-flow traffic islands
  • Junction islands
  • Rubber Kerbing
  • Pinch points
  • 20mph signs

In 2016, the 20mph zone was introduced in Redlands, which covers an area including Royal Berkshire Hospital, the University of Reading, Reading School and The Abbey School.

The council is unable to enforce 20mph zones, with Thames Valley Police (TVP) in charge of speed enforcement, and councillors have urged the government to give them the powers for many years.

READ MORE: Council urges new powers to enforce 20mph zones in Reading

Cllr Page TVP has relegated this responsibility “to the very bottom of its priority list” and he has asked the police to be “more sympathetic” to RBC’s request to take over enforcement powers.

In the absence of enforcement powers, the council has focused on traffic calming measures, such as the new schemes being introduced currently.