A video showing the 'horrific' speed bumps at a Reading retail park has been viewed over one million times in less than 24 hours - and prompted close to a thousand comments from visitors fed-up with the traffic measure.
Reading Gate Retail Park, which is home to shops including McDonalds, Currys, and TK Maxx off the A33, has two sets of speed bumps at the main entrance and exit of the site.
The site's managers, Savills, installed the speed bumps in September to combat 'anti-social behaviour at the scheme', according to a spokesperson.
But the speed bumps have been labelled as 'violent' and 'painful' for people with spine issues - while others have called into question whether the measure has deterred anti-social driving.
A Reading Chronicle video from inside a car passing over the speed bumps has been viewed over one million times and has attracted more than 730 comments in less than a day.
There have been complaints about these new speed bumps at Reading Gate Retail Park - now the site says it’s looking to address the issue ‘as a priority’. pic.twitter.com/ogW6NMYa51
— Richard Lemmer (@RichardLemmer89) November 11, 2024
"As someone that had 6 spinal procedures in the past 2 years, it SUCKS!" one person said in a comment below the video.
"No matter how slow I go over them it REALLY hurts, now try to go as little as possible.
"I read that Savills intend to "put up a sign" to solve the issue. What a joke."
Another user acknowledged the reason for the traffic calming measure.
They said: "It is Brutal but it was put in place to stop the boy racers coming in and using the retail park as a race track."
But another comment has said: "Just to let you know, it didn't stop the boy racers they still have their meetings..."
Another person pointed out that some modified car drivers visit the site just to go shopping.
They said: "Put there to stop car meets. Thankfully it didn't work. Problem is not everyone with modified cars go there to cause trouble, some go there to buy paint."
"Ridiculously violent!" was the response from another visitor posting below the video.
"Me and my dad struggled with it in a 3 and a half tonne van!"
Site manager's Savills is looking to install signs to warn drivers about the speed bumps, a spokesperson from the firm said.
They added: "Following discussions with Reading Council, speed bumps were installed at the entrance of Reading Gate Retail Park in September this year to mitigate anti-social behaviour at the scheme.
"As the appointed managing agent at the site, Savills can confirm that the speed bumps were installed to British Standard height and the site is in the process of arranging for the installation of signage to accompany the speed bumps as a matter of priority."
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