A call has been made for a zebra crossing to be installed along a busy road in Lower Earley.
Kilnsea Drive is a sweeping residential road connected to Rushey Way, providing access to around 250-300 homes and the Maiden Place centre.
Michael Firmager, a Conservative Party member, has suggested that a pedestrian crossing be established in the road to provide safe access for people, particularly children attending school.
The request was made at the last full meeting of Wokingham Borough Council.
Mr Firmager said: “Many children cross Kilnsea Drive in Lower Earley to go to and from Hawkedon Primary School.
“This stretch of road does have fast moving traffic. To help protect and increase road safety of children, their parents and other adults who escort them across Kilnsea Drive the installation of a zebra crossing would make this crossing safer. What is the Executive Member going to do?
His question was answered by councillor Adrian Betteridge, the executive member for active travel and highways.
Cllr Betteridge (Liberal Democrats, Barkham & Arborfield) encouraged people to use the council's online road safety concern reporting form, which also has a webpage where residents can see all requests and get updates.
He said: “Thank you for raising such an important issue.
“Following the receipt of your question, officers have reviewed the situation on Kilnsea Drive, including traffic speeds and collision histories.
“Their response is that average speeds are below the 30 mph limit, with no recorded personal injuries in the injury collisions in the area and no recent reports that would otherwise indicate this is a priority for another crossing on this road above and beyond the many requests which we're already dealing with.
“However, I know that perceptions of risk are often different to reality and I do not in any way dismiss this concern.
“Children must have safe routes to school and children and parents must feel that it's safe for them to walk to school.
“A key issue in taking this forward will be our new speed limit policy, which commits us to proactively reviewing speed limits in locations where people walk, wheel and cycle, particularly around schools and community facilities.
“We’ve written to all town and parish councils to ask them to identify priority locations for such reviews, and I suggest you also discuss your specific concern with Earley Town Council.
“Further information on how we're progressing this project will be the subject of public communications in the near future.”
Mr Firmager pointed out that the speed limit goes down to 20mph during school drop-off and pick-up times, questioning whether people were speeding at these times.
Cllr Betteridge said he will provide an update once the evidence is reviewed.
The exchange took place at the full council meeting on Thursday, February 26.
Mr Firmager serves as a representative for the Warren ward on Woodley Town Council, and is the Conservative candidate for Hawkedon ward on Wokingham Borough Council for the May local elections.
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