Question

This question concerns road safety issues for children attending Floreat Montague Park School. Prior to August 2018, parents were told that a work plan had been agreed between Wokingham Borough Council and the builder, David Wilson Homes to install zebra, toucan or pelican crossings in place for September 2018 to enable children to cross William Heelas Way on the way to and from school. None of these crossings have been installed and despite numerous requests to both WBC and the builder, no satisfactory responses have been given.

We understand that the road is un-adopted, which appears to have put us in a 'It's not my responsibility zone', however this is in essence a public road being used by young school children to cross from the houses to their school and their safety must be paramount. Therefore could WBC confirm what action is being taken and give a definitive timescale for a resolution?

Question

This question concerns road safety issues for children attending Floreat Montague Park School. Prior to February 2018, parents were told that a work plan had been agreed between Wokingham Borough Council and the builder, David Wilson Homes to install zebra, toucan or pelican crossings, in place for September 2018 to enable children to cross William Heelas Way on the way to and from school. None of these crossings have been installed and despite numerous requests to both WBC and the builder, no satisfactory responses have been given.

We understand that the road is un-adopted, which appears to have put us in a 'It's not my responsibility zone'. However, this is in essence a public road being used by young school children to cross from the houses to their school and their safety must be paramount. Therefore, could WBC confirm what action is being taken and give a definitive timescale for a resolution?

Answer

Many areas of the Montague Park site will be adopted by the Council in line with legal agreements that have been entered into by David Wilson Homes for various phases of the development.  The site currently remains in private ownership, it is not a public road, as David Wilson Homes has not completed all of the approved works to an adoptable standard. 

As the Council is not physically delivering the planned works, we cannot commit to any dates for works to be completed, but continue to push the developer to conclude the necessary works, and commit to sign these off in good time when the details are submitted to the Council for review. We have endeavoured to facilitate David Wilson's programme for these works and remain as frustrated as you with the progress that has been made to date.  The Council is continuing to work with David Wilson Homes to progress these matters as soon as possible.

I understand from the site manager that David Wilson Homes intend to start work on a zebra crossing outside the school this week. I would also like to pay tribute to Gregor Murray, one of my fellow Councillors and his wife who have been working with David Wilson Homes. They also live on the estate. I understand that Mrs Murray has helped to facilitate some speed humps put in by the developer. I understand that the developer currently has a volunteer manning a crossing point. The volunteer is a member of the building staff. They have also been working with the developer on the installation of two flashing speed signs.

I can assure you that local Councillors, including Gregor Murray and his wife, have been working very hard to make sure that the estate is as safe as possible up to the point when it is adopted properly.

Supplementary Question

What planning conditions relevant to road safety need to be complied with before the school opened three years ago? If there were none, what are the responsibilities of the builders and how does the Council ensure that these responsibilities are being met and that sanctions are imposed if they are not?

Supplementary Answer

I can’t answer the specific question about the planning conditions. I will be happy to give you a written answer on that. I can assure you that if builders are in breach of planning conditions, after talking to them, we will eventually take legal action. I have seen that happen in other situations.  After exhausting friendly ways of dealing with builders we will take legal action if we need to.  Planning is not my area.  My area is highways.  But I can assure you that, if necessary, we will progress the formal route with Planning.  I would stress that these are not our roads. They are not adopted by us and they will not be adopted if they are not built to standard either.