Question
I share the concern of residents over the dangerous crossing point along Bader Way, Woodley – where it is intersected by the path from Kingsford Close (off Colemansmoor Road) to Mortimer's Meadows and Dinton Pastures. I am aware that a change in the speed limit is being discussed at Borough level, but more immediate action needs to be taken.
What is the Council doing to address this dangerous crossing point that is a) between two bends on a fast road, b) needs much better signage and c) should be clearly marked?
Minutes:
I share the concern of residents over the dangerous crossing point along Bader Way, Woodley – where it is intersected by the path from Kingsford Close (off Colemansmoor Road) to Mortimer's Meadows and Dinton Pastures. I am aware that a change in the speed limit is being discussed at Borough level, but more immediate action needs to be taken.
What is the Council doing to address this dangerous crossing point that is a) between two bends on a fast road, b) needs much better signage and c) should be clearly marked?
Answer:
Officers are aware of concerns raised by users of the footpath between The Moors Open Space and Dinton Pastures and the safety of crossing Bader Way. The existing informal crossing point is used seasonally, with crossing activity fluctuating over the year. There has been a noticeable increase in crossing movements and concerns raised during the Covid pandemic. There are however suitable alternative routes that allow pedestrians to cross over Bader Way more easily both in the south by walking under the bridge that takes Bader Way across the River Loddon and to the north by using the uncontrolled crossing points at the Bader Way-Mohawk Way roundabout.
The Bader Way is subject to the national speed limit and data indicates that speed limit compliance is generally good, despite some instances of speeds in excess of the limit during off peak hours, with average peak hour speeds below 40mph and off-peak average speeds of 53mph. The existing speed limit is considered appropriate and any reduction is unlikely to secure the support of Thames Valley Police.
As a district distributor route, the function of the road is to carry high volumes of traffic between separate areas of the Borough. Despite being a busy connecting route, gaps in traffic present opportunities for pedestrians to cross the road safely. It would not, however, be considered safe to introduce a formal pedestrian crossing facility on a high-speed road, without a reduction in the speed limit and physical measures to support this, which would be in contradiction of the road’s function and purpose.
The road has a generally good safety record with six reported injury collisions in the past 10 year period of which four involved slight injury and two were serious, but none involving a pedestrian. In the vicinity of the existing crossing point one slight collision was recorded, a single vehicle incident in which a vehicle hit an object in the road, 100m south west of the crossing.
Notwithstanding this, officers have undertaken site assessment of the existing seasonal facility and a scheme to improve driver awareness of the likelihood of pedestrians crossing, whilst maintaining adequate signage is currently awaiting implementation.
The signs that warn of the crossing are 400 yards before the actual crossing. There is no signage nearer the crossing point. Would you agree that extra, closer signage, would provide an increase in safety for pedestrians and better warning for motorists, as well as reflectors on the wooden bollards?
Supplementary Answer:
I am not in a position to respond to that so I will have to respond in writing from the Officers.